A reminder for
today
And they were all
filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the
Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:4)
It is Monday – again. Why are the weekends so short? I
worked most of the weekend and yesterday I moderated our church’s stream. I
loved the sermon, because our pastor changed the whole format and changed the
focus to community. People got time to meet other people in our church and a
moment to share a little of themselves. It reminded me of the Holy Spirit and
how we should focus more on Him and what He does in our lives. Francis Chan
writes about the Holy Spirit as the forgotten God and it is amazing how quickly
we forget that the minute you give your life to Jesus, you are filled with the
Holy Spirit. Of all the gifts given to mankind by God, there is none greater
than the presence of the Holy Spirit.
The Spirit has many functions, roles, and activities. First,
He does a work in the hearts of all people everywhere. Jesus told the disciples
that He would send the Spirit into the world to “convict the world of guilt in
regard to sin and righteousness and judgment” (John 16:7-11). Everyone has a
“God consciousness,” whether or not they admit it. The Spirit applies the
truths of God to minds of men to convince them by fair and sufficient arguments
that they are sinners. Responding to that conviction brings men to salvation.
Among His functions is that of revealer of truth. The
Spirit’s presence within us enables us to understand and interpret God’s Word. Another
one of the Holy Spirit’s roles is that of gift-giver. First Corinthians 12
describes the spiritual gifts given to believers in order that we may function
as the body of Christ on earth. All these gifts, both great and small, are
given by the Spirit so that we may be His ambassadors to the world, showing
forth His grace and glorifying Him.
The Spirit also functions as fruit-producer in our lives.
When He indwells us, He begins the work of harvesting His fruit in our
lives—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness
and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). These are not works of our flesh, which
is incapable of producing such fruit, but they are products of the Spirit’s presence
in our lives.
The knowledge that the Holy Spirit of God has taken up
residence in our lives, that He performs all these miraculous functions, that
He dwells with us forever, and that He will never leave or forsake us is cause
for great joy and comfort. Thank God for this precious gift—the Holy Spirit and
His work in our lives!
Lord, we thank you for the wonderful gift of the Holy
Spirit. Let the Holy Spirit fills us anew with His presence and guide us so
that we will bear more fruit for your glory. In Jesus name.
Have an awesome day, dear friend of Jesus.
Cheers
