ONE MORE THING YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT.

I am NOT one of those people who are good at memorizing bible chapters and verse numbers. I remember the verse or a general idea but could never really quote many of them try as I may but this verse found a way to stay with me;

‘But the evil spirit said to them “I know Jesus, and I know about Paul; but you – who are you?”’ (Acts 19:15) 

WHO ARE YOU? It is ironic that this very important question that has stayed with me was asked by an evil spirit. Who are you? Dear reader, I am not talking about your name or your position or character. In this bible passage the seven brothers who were sons of the high priest were driving out evil spirits and they did this ‘In the name of Jesus Christ whom Paul preaches’ (Acts 19:13). They eventually met an evil spirit who challenged them and when asked that question they had no answer; they did not know who they were or what they preached. I think this is something that happens even today. Evil will stare down into you, it will look for the places where you are lacking, where you are weak, where you are in doubt and it will throw this question at you; WHO ARE YOU? I know if you think back in your life you can find those moments/periods where you felt lost, low, broken and you did things you are not proud of. It does not stop just because you are a Christian but when it does come this time around you will be ready, we will be ready because we have the Holy Spirit. Yes, the Holy Spirit is a gift.

If you have been following up on the previous articles (and I hope you have) you will find out that so much has been said about the Holy Spirit. So you are already quite well equipped. Let’s do a quick recap with 5 things to note about the Holy Spirit? List with me, The Holy Spirit (is);

• A Helper / Advocate
• A transformer
• A mystery we cannot fully comprehend
• Provides spiritual gifts
• Empowers

GREAT Thank you!

Now, it does not suffice to know these things. I want you to understand how fortunate we are to be alive at a time when this beautiful gift is available to us all if we believe and accept Jesus Christ into our lives. Before Christ became man and walked this earth, the Holy Spirit was still working among men but not as liberally. In the books of the old testament, looking into the lives of great men of God and chosen leaders like, Moses, Gideon, King Saul we see reference to the presence of the Holy Spirit as being with, upon, among or even leaving them. These terms speak of a limited type of interaction with the Holy Spirit.

 “Jesus said this about the spirit, which those who believed in him were going to receive. At that time the Spirit had not yet been given because Jesus had not been raised to glory” (John 7:39)

The spirit had not yet been fully given. But, the mystery of Christ’s rising from the death, carries with it the fact that through His selfless act, the Holy spirit- that powerful and yet humble force, is made available to all.

“And because of the Spirit that God has given us, we know that God lives in union with us.”1 John 3:21 (And yes I had to write these numbers somewhere).

God lives in union with us, not on or around but within us, transforming us. Do you understand how much of a gift that is?

So now, WHO ARE YOU? Are you a believer, grounded within the family of Christ, one beloved by God? Do you carry the spirit within you bold and strong, thrashing and waiting to do wonders through your life?

YES? Why do you limit yourself then and if NO what are you waiting for?

Imagine you were given great power and asked to do whatever you want. I am sure the list is long and great but consider all your weaknesses, your limits, and limitations because (girl) if we want to be real with ourselves, we all have many flaws. So whatever you do on your own will always be flawed. This is why we need the Holy Spirit to empower us, talk to us, direct us and intercede for us. To fill us with something that is beyond our mere human nature.

You might think it has to be dramatic with dreams and prophesies and that could be, but it starts with quiet promptings, simple kind thoughts, to hold back a harsh word, help needy colleague, to pray…the Holy Spirit works like that too. We need to cultivate the habit of listening to Him.

I pray that you may let or continue to let the Holy Spirit into your life as I too am learning to do mine. That the Spirit may work such marvels in you and you may make such noise that the devil will know  about and when faced with THAT difficult situation, you will stand on your believer’s authority; you will know who you are.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be and abide with you now and forever, Amen!