by Donna Rogers copyright 2008 "I will pour out My Spirit on all people." Joel 2:28a NIV Introduction He is the Third Person of the Trinity – a person, not an "it." He testifies to the power of God and the power of salvation through Jesus. The Spirit of God indwells and empowers us individually (as Christians) and corporately (as the Christian Church). He convicts us of sin and converts us into new creations. He guides us and teaches us the ways of God. He is the Spirit of God -- our Comforter, Counselor, Helper, and Advocate. Let these devotionals start you on your own intensive study of the attributes of the Holy Spirit. Each time you read about the Holy Spirit, mark your Bible with an "S." You will be amazed at how often the Third Person of the Trinity is referred to – not just in the New Testament but also the Old Testament. Begin today to learn more about the Holy Spirit of God!
The Bible tells us that there is one God. "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one" (Deuteronomy 6:4). And the Bible tells us of the three persons of the Trinity. In Matthew 28:19, Jesus tells His disciples to baptize people in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit; and Paul blesses the Corinthian church with the grace of Jesus, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 13:14). Augustine wonderfully writes of the glory of the Holy Trinity: "The Father is God, the Son is God, the Holy Spirit is God...yet we do not say that there are three gods, but one God, the most exalted Trinity itself." What does it mean to you that the Father, Son and Spirit are each fully God, yet that God is one God? Can you accept this as on faith or do you feel you must understand before you can believe?
Holy Spirit: Spirit of God Jesus tells us that God is Spirit (John 4:23). It was the Spirit of the Lord who came "mightily" upon Samson (Judges 14:6), upon David (1 Samuel 16:13), and upon Micah (Micah 3:8); and it was the Spirit who came to Jeremiah as the word of the Lord (Jeremiah 1:4). Jesus’ earthly ministry began when the Spirit descended upon Him in the form of a dove (Mark 1:10). Our Savior proclaimed, "the Spirit of the Lord is upon Me" (Luke 4:18), and He promised that same Power from on high would be given to us (Luke 24:49). It was by the Spirit of God that Jesus cast out demons (Matthew 12:28), and it is the sword of the Spirit (the word of God) that we wield against demonic attacks (Ephesians 6:17). By the breath of God we are born of the Spirit (John 3:5), live in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16), and are led by the Spirit (Romans 8:14). What would your physical life be without breath? How would you have spiritual life without the breath of God? Explain.
Holy Spirit: The Paraclete In 1 John 2:1, Paraclete is also the word used to describe Jesus’ role as an intercessor. Before Jesus left earth, He promised in John 14:16 to send another intercessor -- the Paraclete who is the Holy Spirit of God. The Paraclete is the Spirit of Jesus Christ who helps us (Philippians 1:19), the Spirit of Sonship by which we can call God, "Abba, Father" (Romans 8:15). He is the Gift of God given to all believers (Acts 1:38), the Living Water by which believers are baptized (Acts 1:5). He is our Intercessor when we are unable to pray (Romans 8:26-27) and the Counselor who reminds us of everything Jesus said (John 14:17). He is the Bestower of gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4) and fruit (Galatians 5:22-23), and our Power to be witnesses for Jesus (Acts 1:8). He is God’s Spirit poured out on all people (Acts 2:17), the Spirit of God who lives within us (1 Corinthians 6:19) and God’s Seal of Ownership deposited in our hearts as a guarantee of what is to come (2 Corinthians 1:22). What does it mean to you that the Holy Spirit is always alongside you? How can this truth revolutionize the way you pray, live and worship?
Holy Spirit: Inhabits God’s People When people asked Peter how they might know the resurrected Jesus, he told them to repent and be baptized, and that they would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). This promise is for all who call on the name of the Jesus as their Lord and Savior! It is this baptism of the Holy Spirit that gives us eternal life! "If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you" (Romans 8:11). Jesus said that He will be with us always (Matt. 28:20), and it is through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19) that the omnipresence of God is possible (John 20:22). God lives within you. Think about that. Are you living in a way worthy of the indwelling of God, thinking thoughts worthy of the Spirit of God who lives within you? If not, what changes can you make?
Holy Spirit: His Name Is Holy "Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord, thy God in vain." "Blessed be the Name of the Lord." These are familiar words, so familiar that sometimes the importance slips by us. Read them again, and you’ll see that the name of God is Holy! Which explains a statement by Jesus that is sometimes misunderstood – "And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven." (Mark 3:29) The Greek word for blaspheme contains two components: blapt (to injure, hurt, or to hinder by injury or harm) and pheme (fame, rumor). It means to speak impiously about God, to defame Him, or to speak evil of Him. The Hebrew word for blaspheme means to curse or libel; to violently puncture, perforate or pierce. Cursing God, swearing by God, misusing and abusing the name of God negates the holiness of His Name, insulting the Holy Spirit of God. Do not take the name of the Lord, thy God, in vain! Many people get annoyed, offended or angry when their name is misspelled or mispronounced – and their name isn’t holy, as God’s name is holy. How does what we’ve studied today change your view on the way you use God’s name? ~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
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