The Holy Spirit In Us
Our Abundant Life series has challenged our mindsets, breaking us from the thought-patterns that steal, kill, and destroy, and beckoning us into the nature of God, the ministry of Jesus, and for the next two Sundays, we'll focus on the person of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus tells His disciples just before He goes to the cross:
"I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper/Comforter/Advocate, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth...you know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you" (John 14:15-17).
Now, many of us believe that the Holy Spirit came into our soul when we gave our lives to Jesus...
But what's He doing inside of me?!?
Do I really know?
Am I open to His work in me?
What is He up to?
You know, that phrase "another Helper to be with you" can be translated "of the same sort."
Just as the disciples were transformed by walking with Jesus, the Holy Spirit is here as "another Helper," to do the same sort of work that Jesus did…but inside of us.
The Holy Spirit is in me:
Revealing Jesus.
Depositing faith.
Releasing resources.
Teaching deep truth.
Healing wounds.
Breaking off lies.
Cultivating holiness.
Have you considered that your relationship with Jesus is dependent on the Holy Spirit?
How else would you know Jesus but that He was revealed to you by the ministry of the Holy Spirit?
It sounds simple...but actually accepting that our belief in Jesus is founded not on our own intellect alone, but on the revelation of the Holy Spirit, actually cures us of so much striving.
And that allows us to rest into the love of Jesus, while trusting His Holy Spirit in us.
If we know Jesus in the slightest degree, it is because the Holy Spirit is there fueling our favorite relationship.
How else would you love Jesus? How else would you know Him?
What else would draw you to Jesus but the presence of the Holy Spirit in you?
Jesus says, "When the Friend comes, the Spirit of the Truth, he will take you by the hand and guide you into all the truth there is" (John 16:13 MSG).
And, "He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare/deliver it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare/deliver it to you" (John 16:14 MSG).
This is massively encouraging when we look at the reality in our lives.
We so often long to know what Jesus would do in our shoes.
What would it be like to have Him here with us?
What would He do in the mess we're facing?
And yet, it is the Holy Spirit's job to disclose to us Jesus' presence, will, and intimate involvement in our situation.
It's the Holy Spirit's passion to counsel, empower, shape, and renew us.
And the Holy Spirit uses the very brokenness around us as the inlet for Jesus' power, love, and healing to flow through us.
There's such a rich dynamic in this living relationship with Jesus through the Holy Spirit.
So come Sunday as we study, "The Holy Spirit In Us" and shift our mindsets from "Loneliness to Fullness".
Lord, have Your way in us!
Pastor Dave