Episode 8: Holy Spirit IRL: Demystifying & Hearing the Holy Spirit - Mica Dela Cruz
Who is the Holy Spirit, and what does it actually look like to live Spirit-led?
In light of yesterday's celebration of Pentecost, we were thinking about how we often know and hear about the Holy Spirit in terms of people's grand stories or amazing experiences...
Yet, rarely do we get to peel back the layers around actually knowing, hearing, & experiencing the Holy Spirit for ourselves in our real, everyday lives and routines - at home, at work, at church, etc.
Our friend and special guest, Mica Dela Cruz, joins us today to dive into these questions (and more). We hope that our struggles, lessons, and practical examples will help you cultivate and strengthen your own personal, everyday relationship with God's Spirit.
Because living connected with and empowered by the Holy Spirit will literally change your life.
TOPICS:
0:00 - Intro
1:32 - Common misconceptions about the Holy Spirit
3:47 - Knowing the Holy Spirit personally
5:18 - How do we get to KNOW the Holy Spirit?
7:14 - Hearing & discerning God's voice & will
8:35 - Mica's example of seeking God's will in dating
11:11 - Wisdom & your spiritual growth
12:16 - Mica's example of obeying the Holy Spirit's prompting
15:24 - A more detailed breakdown of Spirit-led promptings
17:14 - Sharing (& receiving) prophetic prayers
19:28 - What if our spiritual experiences don't seem as powerful as others'?
22:59 - Practical tips to better know the Holy Spirit
24:53 - Navigating through spiritual dryness
27:40 - Cultivating your relationship with God despite your environment
29:53 - Recommended resources
31:11 - A prayer for you!
ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Mica Dela Cruz currently lives in Northern California, where she works as a nurse. In her spare time, she loves to take walks and watch the latest shows with her husband, Derrick. She is passionate about intercession prayer and helping others hear from the Lord throughout their daily lives. You can connect with her on Instagram: @micach0o.
RELATED RESOURCES
The God I Never Knew: How Real Friendship with the Holy Spirit Can Change Your Life by Robert Morris
The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence
Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God by Dallas Willard
Daughter of Destiny: Kathryn Kuhlman by Jamie Buckingham
Get 1-on-1 Help from Alex / Grace:
Transcript
[0:00]
Welcome back to this podcast! We're so excited that you're here, and especially because today we have a very special guest, our friend Mica! Mica, we know you from church, we've actually, we were just talking about how we met you through your prayer group a few years ago. Both me and Alex were so blessed to be in her group.
And over the years, we’ve just gotten to know each other better. She's actually part of my prayer shield, as well, and one of the things, many things I love most about Mica - is just her sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. How she really lives out like, what does it mean to be led by the Spirit, and that's been so evident in your own life, too.
So we thought, because this episode should be released around the time of Pentecost, and we know a lot of people, including Christians, have questions around the Holy Spirit, we thought that today we could unpack that a bit, and talk about the Holy Spirit.
Oh I’m excited to be here and very honored. So, thank you so much for having me on your guys' podcast.
Yeah, I'm very honored only ‘cause both of you are like two of the most encouraging people I know and like (aw, shucks), it's like something, you know, you emulate to others each day, and like whether our church or outside of church, and like, I'm so excited you started this podcast because you both are continuing to do that. And you both are super gifted in it. So thanks for having me!
Thank you! I'm getting emotional ready.
[1:32]
A lot of people, depending on their background, right? Have different experiences or, or perspectives on what is the Holy Spirit. So what would you say are some misconceptions or stereotypes around the Holy Spirit?
That is very good question. Like everyone else, like, I'm still learning, and I'm only sharing like what I've learned and what I've experienced through the Holy Spirit in my personal life, and I'm still constantly learning.
I feel like the biggest misconception is that the Holy Spirit isn't like, as equal to the Father and Jesus, like, he's like the “lesser” part of the Trinity. And I think it's because like, a lot of people, from what I've seen and heard, like, they think the Holy Spirit is like, you know, like, like spirit, like something mystical, or like, like a power or some force that like comes and goes, you know.
But in Scripture, we see how the Holy Spirit is a person, too, like the Father and Jesus. And like, he also has thoughts and feelings, and he has his own will, just like they do.
In 1 Corinthians 12, if you read that chapter, you see how like, he decides things as well, like specifically in that chapter, Paul writes how the Holy Spirit like, decides what spiritual gifts he wants to give us.
In Romans 8, you see how he also intercedes for us as well, just like Jesus does. And in Ephesians 4, you see how he, his feelings can be hurt, but in Scripture, I think it specifically says that he can be grieved. And in John 14, he's also the one who helps us and comforts us.
So he's not like some mystical thing, but he's like a person who helps us. So he's also omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent, just like the Father and Jesus, like he's equal to them, they all exist together as one.
And and you first see in Scripture, in Genesis 1, when the Father says, let us make man in our own image, and then you see it again in the gospels during Jesus's baptism, you know, when the clouds open, the Holy Spirit comes on Jesus, and then you hear the Father's voice. So, yeah.
Gosh. Thanks for sharing that.
[3:47]
I would love to hear: Who is the Holy Spirit to you personally?
For me personally, the Holy Spirit really is like how the Proverb says: he's a friend that sticks closer than a brother. Especially during the times where I've gone through such great heartbreak, or when I'm struggling with, like, fear, anxiety, like, and I feel alone, like, I have no one to talk to, the Holy Spirit is really the one who like comforts me and gives me the peace that I need. And he's always the one counseling me, especially when like, I'm in a situation, I'm like, I don't know what to do, you know, like, what is the right thing to do? So he really is like someone who sticks closer to me than a brother.
Wow, that’s beautiful. Well-said. I feel like a lot of believers, I'm just reminded of, even like our series at church that we had a couple months ago about the Holy Spirit, and I think it was called The God I Never Knew, right? Based on that book by Robert Morris.
And how it is like, it's a friendship, a relationship, not something- I think a lot of people think it's like a faraway, like, mystical idea, or maybe like the Holy “Ghost,” you know like a ghost that you can't really know or have access to, right? So when believers are realizing, oh, we can have a friendship and an intimate closeness, just like you said, like closer than a friend, closer than a brother, like, that changes everything, right?
[5:18]
So, how would you say, like, for anybody, you know, listening to this, or watching this, who maybe doesn't know like, how do I, how do I know the Holy Spirit? Like what does that mean? Like, such a abstract concept, maybe they’ve just never been taught how, what would you say to them?
Yeah. I think one of the first things when it comes to knowing the Holy Spirit is, I know it's kind of cliche, but reading the Bible as much as you can. Because we know that the Holy Spirit is also the divine author of Scripture. He was the one who inspired, you know, the authors of every book to write what they did. So the more you read Scripture, the more you're able to hear his voice, and the more you're able to discern his voice, as well.
Another practical way is making- I’d just encourage you just make space, whether it's like five minutes, or if you want to go longer, too, just making space just to like, just to silence your soul and your mind, and just like, asking or like, telling the Holy Spirit like, you know, “I welcome you here. I acknowledge you in this place, and speak to me however you will.”
And like, have faith that he'll speak to you, because the Holy Spirit always desires to speak to us. In Scripture, it says how his thoughts for us are more than the grains of sand on the seashore.
So he's constantly speaking, he constantly desires to tell us his thoughts about us to us. And so, yeah, have faith that he's speaking to you.
And it could be in different ways, too, like, it could be like a gentle whisper, it could be like an image, or like, a word, a vision. It could be like, in your dreams, too, and also through other people, as well.
So I just encourage you just to be like, open-minded on how the Holy Spirit speaks to you, ‘cause he can speak through anything.
[7:12]
Yeah. Thanks for sharing that. I feel like a lot of people want to hear from God but don't feel connected or can hear from God. How do you know if it's God or the Holy Spirit, or something else?
Like, if you ask a friend for advice, or they give you something, and then there's the Holy Spirit. How do you dance between the two?
Yeah, that's a really good question, too. And, my husband actually is the same way. Like, he's like, “you hear from God all the time,” and then for himself, like God doesn't speak to him, like in a gentle whisper, like with me, or in the same way he does to me.
But of course, like, God speaks to us in different ways. Because how in Scripture, it says, you know, we’re his sheep, and his sheep always hears the shepherd's voice.
So one thing that my husband taught me is definitely ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom, because it also says how the Lord is generous, and he's willing to give wisdom to those who ask.
And so asking him for wisdom on what like, what decision to make, I guess, in something, when you're like in a crossroads on what decision to make, and then he'll always give you that’s wisdom that’s according to his will.
[8:35]
And also, I would say, give yourself grace and enough space. Sometimes it takes a while to make like the right decision, you know, that's according to his will.
So like, for example, when I was dating Derrick, or before we started dating, for me I thought dating would be a certain way from what I was taught in church. With my friends and family, they always had like a huge sign from God saying, like, this is the one that you're going to marry, you know? And I thought that would happen to me, but it didn't.
So when it came, so me and Derrick are like interested in each other, and then I was like, I don't know if this is something I should pursue, or maybe I should pursue someone else, or not pursue anyone else, ‘cause also at the same time I was very purposeful and intentional with being single, and so also like, I was like, if I do pursue Derrick, like, is it the right time?
And so we were talking about, and that's when Derrick told me- oh sorry, by the way, my husband’s named Derrick. (Derrick's sitting in the corner like, hello!)
And so that's when he said like, what if God just gave you like, the wisdom to make the right decision? You know?
And so that really made me think like, it really hit me and convicted me, and so it gave me like a while to think, like, it still took me a few weeks, maybe a couple months to make a decision when it came to like finally pursuing and dating Derrick, because I really wanted, I'd gone through like a lot of failed relationships, and I didn't want to go through another failed one. So I just really wanted to be sure, and I really didn't want to enter into a relationship that was outside of God's will, like I have before in the past.
And so, I asked God like, “God, like help me know if I should do this or not.” God didn't give me the answer right away. It was more like a deconstruction process, I guess. Because like, how I've mentioned that I thought God would give me like this huge sign saying this is the one, but instead it didn't happen that way.
And so it was kind of like a journey into making that decision where God would like, speak through someone, it was something simple, just like oh, you should watch this YouTube video, and this YouTube video was like, how to know you’re dating the right person and stuff, and so, like other little things, too. It wasn't like a huge thing. Then that really helped me with like, leaning into that truth with like, sometimes God does give you the wisdom to make the right decision.
Right. I was just telling Alex actually, I can really relate with you and even our own dating journey, ‘cause I was also very like, I wanted to be intentional like, God-led.
[11:11]
Couple months ago, I really felt like God was revealing to me, you know, in your spiritual walk, you also gain maturity, you know, in your walk. And so maybe when you're more like a spiritual infant, or a newer, you know, believer, God will give you these signs, you know, very clear like, do this, do that.
And he still does, you know, at any point of your journey. But they're also, you know, just like, parents, right? You don't always handhold your kid as they're growing older. You're like, oh yeah, you can- you know well enough now, right? You've been through enough experiences. You trust me, you, you're at a place where you can make your own decisions that are aligned with my will without me directing and dictating every single thing that you do.
So I do think it's, it's always a good desire that we have to seek God's will to get direction from him.
But at the same time, we can't be paralyzed by like, oh I can't do anything unless God gives me like a flashing symbol. And it is part of like that grace for yourself, too, of just trusting that you can hear God more than you think.
I think oftentimes we discount or maybe like, we just doubt ourselves a lot, which is another topic.
[12:16]
Do you have like a story you could share about a time when you really felt led by the Spirit, and how was that for you?
So there is this one time last year in the summer where we went to an Alpha training, me and my husband, in the Fremont campus. (Can you explain what Alpha is?) Oh yes. (For those listeners.) Yes. So, 10 week course where anyone is welcome, anyone who is interested in learning more about who God is, what Christianity is, what this Jesus stuff is all about.
So we were sitting in the auditorium and you know those generic slides they put up, like, Welcome to Alpha. They call it Run Alpha. (Yeah.) And so in the bottom left hand corner, it says “Echo.Church” and “Fremont, California,” but they spelled “Fremont” wrong.
They spelled it F-R-E-E-M-O-N-T. And so I just kept looking at it, I'm like, it just kept catching my attention. And so I'm like, I don't know why I keep looking at this, and so I'm like, oh why DO I keep looking at this, you know?
And so I asked the Holy Spirit. I'm like, is there something you wanna tell me?
And so I felt like the Holy Spirit was like, sharing with me how the Fremont campus, more people will come who are struggling with like, these different strongholds, with addictions, or like different things they're going through. And how they'll be set free from these things when they come to Fremont, by the power of God.
And so, I was like, oh, okay, and I felt like the Holy Spirit wanted me to share with Pastor Paul McGovern, who was the Campus Pastor at the time.
I was like, oh, okay. And so I was like, okay, I’ll share when I have, when I feel like I have the opportunity to share it with him. So I didn't share with him that day, the Fremont campus was hosting Alpha.
So I didn't get the chance to share with him until maybe like a month later after one of our All Staff drills. So I saw him up in the executive offices and was like, oh, is now the time to do it? You know, like, should I do it?
And I felt like the Holy Spirit was saying yes, yes. And you know, like that feeling, that prompting like, where he's pulling you. (Yeah.) I'm like okay. Yeah, ‘cause I’d never really talked to Pastor Paul before this, (so it’s kinda weird) yeah, so I’m like, hey this is really random, which I did say (I'm sure you did it more graciously).
Yeah, so I was like, I don’t know how he's gonna receive this. But I'll just do it, you know, have faith. And so I went up to him. He was in the executive assistant’s office. So I was like, hey Pastor Paul, do you have a few minutes for me to share something with you?
And he was like, yeah, I'm just going into this meeting, but yeah, I have a few minutes. Like okay, I’ll make it really quick, you know? And then I told him, you know, the word that I felt like the Holy Spirit wanted me to share with him.
And he was very receptive, like he was so grateful, and he was like oh, thank you so much for sharing, like, this is something that I’ve really been praying about, that people would be set free, you know, from what they're struggling with and from their addictions. So thank you so much for sharing, and he gave me a chance to pray with him, as well. So yeah.
[15:22]
That’s beautiful. Wow, that's so much to unpack there. I wanna stick on this example. When the Holy Spirit prompted you to say that to Pastor Paul, what did that look like? How did you feel? What was the experience like? Was it just a thought? Can you walk us through that?
Yeah. So, since it was a month later, it was just a thought, but it was like in the back of my mind. But when, when I saw him, like the thought came back to my mind, and I was like, oh, is now the time? Like should I do it?
Yeah, I was asking the Holy Spirit that, and then that's when like, yeah, I just felt like that tug like someone pulling me (right), you know, that kind of feeling (Like if you resisted it, you felt uncomfortable, like something inside of you is compelling you to do it). Yeah, or if I resisted, I would feel like a deep sense of regret or guilt, like, you know?
Yeah, and as you were talking, I was thinking, because I remember being in a training like about prophetic prayer before, and like the things that you should say versus like not, like be careful, you know, because it could impact people negatively, too, if you do it in a not wise, discerning way.
But, one of the things that they said I remember was, you know, if you have an encouraging word and like, it would bring them faith, like worst case scenario, it's not exactly right, but it encourages them, you know? But best case scenario like the Holy Spirit did give it to you to say to them. And like, either way, it’s like win-win.
And I personally experienced that from you a lot, Mica. Like, Mica’s on my prayer shield, and she will share these like, words as she gets or when she's praying for me, these images, and I'm like, how does she know this? This is definitely the Holy Spirit, and it just encourages me so much.
And I think if you didn't do that, I mean, it wouldn't have been like, detrimental, but it's like because you obeyed in faith, like, other people also are so blessed, you know, through your faith.
[17:14]
More related to prophetic prayer, if you're able to share, like, because I think a lot of people in their prayer lives, they wanna lean more into this, too, like, not just pray for themselves or pray quietly for other people, but like, oh, if God like, gives them an image, how do they know, like, this is something they can share? So can you talk a little bit about that? Like the process that you experience?
Yeah, definitely. So usually when I pray for people, yeah the Lord would give me like images or visions or like, you know like a word for someone. And so after, like I would pray for them a bit, even though if it's something small, I would still, like, share, like, oh, I see, like, you know, this word like, “intimate.” I don't know if that means anything to you? And so like, and also asking them, like, does that mean anything to you? Does that resonate a bit? That way you get some feedback on how you can specifically pray for them and stuff.
And I love how you always, I don't know if it's just me, I'm assuming with other people, too. You include, like, hold this with a grain of salt or like open hand, you know, bring it to the Lord in prayer. You don't, you have, you wanna put a disclaimer, like you're not telling me what to do.
Yeah. Yeah, I do that only ‘cause like, you know, I think when it comes like prophetic prayer sharing like, words with other people, I think we have this fear, like we're wrong. And also, like, with being labeled as a false prophet, you know, like, you know, we're doing something heretic or something.
But in Scripture, it says how when we share, it's also the receiver’s responsibility to test it (right). You know, not take it in right away. (And discern. Yeah.) And so that's why I give that disclaimer, like, don't accept this right away, especially if it doesn't resonate with you, you know, like definitely pray about it first, or praying more into it.
Yeah. Which is so important. I think that's really good to remind people on the receiving end, like, don't replace God's voice with other people's voices, right? Because sometimes it can be almost as over-reliance on, oh, I need other people to tell me what God's saying, when you have direct access to God, and even when other people tell you things, you should test it, you should bring it to God, and ask him, you know what, what is this, or is this accurate to my life?
[19:28]
Thinking of what happened at Pentecost with tongues of fire and people who are drunk in the Spirit, why do you think some people experience the Holy Spirit, versus others who don't seem to have those experiences?
Yeah. This is a very good question. I think we think some experiences are more powerful than others because I think we tend to compare our experiences with other people's experiences.
I don't fully know the whole answer, and I'm still learning about the reasons why. But I do know like, for me growing up I would always go to like youth Christian camps, and so after the pastors, the pastors would speak, they would always like, have an altar call for people to come up and like, get prayer or repent.
And so during the times when I would answer the call and go up, and I’d repent and be on my knees and like, you know, I'm, I'm really like repenting and asking the Lord to fill me with the Holy Spirit, and I know the Lord's working in me.
But at first like, nothing would happen. Like, it was simply just me repenting and asking the Lord just to fill me with his Spirit. Like it wasn’t like, a big thing, but all around me I’d see like, other people like, they're like weeping and they're like, I'm speaking in tongues, and then some of them would be like, so filled with Holy Spirit that they fall backwards and stuff.
And then I, I can't help but like, open my eyes and look around, and so, and then I, I would be like, oh, howcome I'm not experiencing this like, why isn't this happening to me? Like, howcome I'm not crying or, like, speaking in tongues, you know, like, am I not praying the right things, am I not repenting the right way, you know? And so I would leave feeling discouraged.
But I knew the Lord was working in me even though it wasn't like a big thing, because I would always leave changed. I would leave different than how I came into the service. So of course, I knew the Lord was working in me. And so I, I think that maybe why we tend to compare and so, but I just think like the Holy Spirit just works in different ways in other people, that are expressed in different ways.
Right. Totally. It's so easy, especially, I think with like social media especially, but more and more, it's easy to compare like, oh howcome they're experiencing this and it looks so powerful, it looks so amazing. And then you just like, see other people's like highlights like, on the outside what it looks like.
And I think that applies with even spiritual experiences of like, oh, howcome they're falling over and like, you know, speaking in tongues so powerfully? And recently, we were part of this conference talking about this, and one of the pastors was saying, you know if you are caught up thinking about like, oh howcome I'm not experiencing that versus others, you have an identity issue.
Like, you’re- you haven't fully healed that part of you that doesn't truly believe you’re a daughter and son of God. You're still trying to measure your spirituality, I guess, in terms of your experiences.
Another thing that really challenged both of us was also like this concept of like inner vows. It really challenged us ‘cause like, oh yeah, maybe one time many years ago, you know, you made this inner vow like, oh, if they’re experiencing the Holy Spirit in such crazy ways, and I don't get that like, then I don't want it anyway, you know?
You make this kind of almost like, resistant decision in your spirit. I've never thought of it that way before, ‘cause usually it's about like oh, how can I get that thing, versus how can I undo the things that are blocking me from receiving the Holy Spirit.
[22:59]
What would you say to people who, you know, they want to move forward. Like, what is the practical next step that they can start experiencing more of the Holy Spirit, but not necessarily in a templated, you know, formulaic way, if that makes sense?
For me like a good practical step for me in like learning how to cultivate like a relationship with the Holy Spirit was just like, taking the time each morning or during my commute to work, I'm just asking him to help me be aware of his presence, you know, with me, within me and around me, ‘cause he's always with us and like, helping me be aware of his presence throughout the day.
And also like, during like my tasks at work, or in ministry when I'm serving, just helping me always be aware of him.
And when there's like a minute or two where I can spare, where I'm not really doing anything, just checking back in I guess with the Holy Spirit and just being re-aware, I guess, of like his presence and also like talking with him throughout the day as well helps a lot with like cultivating that relationship with him.
It's kind of like talking with a friend, almost, except that friend is always with you. (Mhmm. Yeah.) And just like, even in my day-to-day job, I just talk with God. Like, hey what do you, what do you want me to say to this person? Or, God, I'm so frustrated with this. Even that I think is such, that's like relationship and friendship with God, it's just communicating, and it's not always asking like pray, God, can you do this for me? Or I want you to part the seas. Obviously, God can do anything. But I think it's about cultivating that relationship, just as you were cultivating it with a friend.
[24:53]
I love your example about how you went up to the altar and you left changed, and I think that's also great. Maybe it doesn't look grand on the outside but it's a, it's a change in your heart.
Can you talk a bit about, kind of relevant but kind of pivoting a little bit, any experiences or seasons in your life where you’ve felt like, spiritually dry? Like, maybe you know, you have a relationship with the Holy Spirit, but it's not feeling you know, as rich, or you're not hearing as clearly, and how did you deal with that?
Yeah, that's a good question. So I usually experience that when I'm really busy, when my schedule’s like really packed. (Yeah.) And a good example was when I was in my nursing program, I was always busy like, studying, going to class, taking exams, and then afterwards, I would like serve.
Before my nursing program, I had like a set time that I would spend with God, and it was like at night before I went to bed, but during my nursing program I’d be like so exhausted with like studying and going to class and doing homework after, that when I did spend time with God at night, at my usual time, I would like fall asleep. And so because of that, I didn’t connect with the Holy Spirit as much and so that's when I started experience that dryness.
And so, I think I was at the point where I just felt really dry, and then I started doing things out of my own fleshly nature, like things that, you know, I wouldn't normally do, like I would be angry or annoyed easily at people. And so I didn't like that side of me coming out.
And so I was like, I was something has to change like, even if I can't spend time with the Holy Spirit at my usual time, maybe I can still like, you know, take what I can. And that was definitely like the season I was going through, was just taking what I can, like, even if it was like, doing my lunch break or five minutes here, five minutes there, it was still something. Even if it wasn't like, one plus hours at night like I used to, and at least it was still something to connect with a Holy Spirit, and that was definitely enough. So, yeah.
It’s not necessarily about the quantity, but the quality. Not to use that as an excuse of being like, well, I'm just gonna do it on my commute every day, you know, for the rest of my life. But yeah, that's good.
I feel like a lot of people can relate, especially in this area, you know, we're so in a fast-paced culture and and even doing good work for God, and I can totally relate with that, like when I've- in my busiest seasons, it was also hardest to hear from the Holy Spirit because you have so many things on your mind, so many things you’re juggling.
And it’s when we can get still, I think it was Pete Scazzero who said this one time, like, in the stillness, that's where clarity is born. And you can't get clear unless you're quiet and still and you just like, declutter your soul. And then make space, you know, for the Spirit, otherwise there's no space inside of you. So, I think a lot of people can probably relate with that.
[27:40]
Actually, you’ve cultivated that pretty well. Like you used to work in a very fast-paced culture both at Google and also at church. How did you personally cultivate (Yeah) that relationship with God?
Yeah. This is an unintentional interview about me right now. But yeah, I think, well, it's not to say like being in a fast-paced environment, you can't do this, right? I think it is a discipline that you just learn, and then you can translate that into any environment you're in.
A lot of it is just what can I handle, and what- and most importantly, what is God telling me to do versus what do I just automatically assume I need to do?
‘Cause I think when we are raised in certain environments or cultures, we just like assume, oh yeah, gotta do everything, help everybody, you know, commit to everything.
But what I learned throughout the years and in my experiences, and I'm sure you guys can relate is, you have a limits for a reason. God gave you those limitations. And when we let go of them, it forces us to trust him. It reminds us we are not God. And it cultivates a deep connection with them.
So it's like all the good things spiritually, but it is counterintuitive, because as people we feel it's in our hands, we have to control it. We have to make it all happen. But then, we feel like spiritually our soul, it just gets… it's not well, you know.
So yeah. I don't know if that answers your question by I just, just to clarify, it's not really, like work in this environment, don’t work in this environment. It's more, the self-awareness, I think, that God helps you to have, and then the discipline to know when to say no, when to say yes. And what you need, right? To have that connection with the Holy Spirit.
Yeah, you can cultivate your intimacy with God anywhere and everywhere. Whether it's up in the mountain by yourself or just as a NASCAR driver, I don't know. In a fast-paced environment.
Literal. Very literal, fast-paced environment.
Yeah. Well, awesome. Thanks for just sharing your stories.
[29:53]
For people who are, who love resources, do you have any books or just resources in general for people who wanna learn more about the Holy Spirit and and listening to the voice of God?
Yeah, so for books, I recommend, the first one I recommend is The Practice of The Presence of God by Brother Lawrence. (Good one.) Yeah.
And then the sec- yeah that one actually helped me be aware of the Holy Spirit throughout my life, when I'm doing like, my daily tasks. So it was so encouraging for me.
And then a second one is Daughter of Destiny: an authorized biography of Kathryn Kuhlman by Jamie Buckingham. And Kathryn Kuhlman, she's someone in the past who's really in tune with the Holy Spirit. And she would like, help pray for people, like tons of people for healing, and just the way she’s really sensitive to Holy Spirit, too, it really is something that I admire and strive to be, as well.
And then a third one is Hearing God by Dallas Willard. Yes, classic. That's a great one.
Well, I was wondering if we could actually end this podcast episode with a prayer, if you would be willing to just pray for our listeners who want to seek, are hungry for more of the Spirit.
Oh yeah, of course! I’d love to.
[31:11]
So Father, we just thank you so much for this time. We thank you for this opportunity just to talk about your Holy Spirit and just for all that you have done through us, for us and through us, by the power of your Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit, we just thank you for all that you have done within us through us and in our lives. We thank you for all the words that he have spoken to us and done through us.
And I just ask that whoever's listening, that you would open their hearts and their spirits and their minds to your voice and all that you have to share for them. Your love for them is so great. And I just asked that you would just speak to them in the only way you know how, and I, and I know you desire just to speak to them.
And so I ask that you just open their eyes to see just how you speak to them through words, through images, in their daily walks with you. I ask that they would just be aware of your presence in their lives and your voice, and that they would be aware of what you are saying to them through anything that you want to show them, God.
And so we just thank you that you are a God who desires to be with us, to be intimate with us, and how you want to continue helping and comforting us in whatever we are going through.
In your name we pray, Amen.
Amen. Thanks, Mica, this was so awesome. I think this was a really much-needed topic to talk about these days. We always like to know, where can people find you?
Yeah, so I am on social media, on Instagram only. (Instagram only, okay.) Yeah, and so my username is micach0o. (Micacho0o, wow. How do you spell that?) It’s a play on Pikachu. Yeah. M-I-C-A-C-H-ZERO-O. Nice.
I'm guessing you like Pikachu?
Yeah, I just liked how my name rhymes with Pikachu. The first part, Mica, Pika. (I love that.) And then it's also like a dual on like sneezing.
Oh my gosh, that is hilarious. I actually knew do that before. But now that you say it, it makes sense. Very creative. I love that.
Well thanks so much for joining us. We pray that this episode blesses you, whoever's listening and watching, and yeah, if you have more questions and you wanna dive into the Holy Spirit, we'll have more episodes to talk about this, but we definitely encourage you to go, like, keep asking God to show you and directing you to resources, there's so much out there.
And we're just really excited for you in your journey, as you discover more of this equally important part of the Trinity, that is not the lesser than, and it's very… it'll change your life. So thanks for joining us!
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We pray that God fills you with his love, his joy, his peace, and his wisdom as you continue growing in your daily walk with him. We're so grateful for you and we can't wait to see you again next week!