Is Any Body Home? - The Holy Spirit
Is Anybody Home? – The Holy Spirit
As we continue our study of the Epistle to the Ephesians, let’s zero in and pay attention to the person and work of the Holy Spirit. The Godhead is always present and work in union with each other - The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit. It seems we often forget the work of the Holy Spirit and even who He is.
Francis Chan wrote a book: Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit. Here is a summary capsule of the book from Amazon.com:
"Francis Chan offers a compelling invitation to understand, embrace, and follow the Holy Spirit’s direction in our lives.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and … the Holy Spirit. We pray in the name of all three, but how often do we live with an awareness of only the first two? As Jesus ascended into heaven, He promised to send the Holy Spirit—the Helper—so that we could be true and living witnesses for Christ. Unfortunately, today’s church has admired the gift but neglected to open it.
Breakthrough author Francis Chan rips away paper and bows to get at the true source of the church’s power—the Holy Spirit"
What has Paul written so far in our study about the Holy Spirit? In Ephesians 1, we are sealed and stamped approved with the Holy Spirit as belonging to God. If you are a believer and have trusted in Christ, you have the Holy Spirit in you though you may not know Him.
13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who[b] is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
Also in Ephesians 2, we have access to the Father by the Holy Spirit. We are also reminded that we are a dwelling place, a habitation of God in the Holy Spirit.
17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.
19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
Do you and I really know the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Godhead? The very one who has been given for the express purpose of being our “HELPER” is the one we really don’t know and don’t call upon and listen to. No wonder we are ineffective in many ways. It is like driving a stick shift car – No power.
The Holy Spirit brings the reality of God to us and puts into effect God’s Word and promises in our lives. “The Holy Spirit is the one who makes everything that Jesus did for you real in your life.” - Oswald Chambers
Can I challenge us to cultivate a hunger and taste for the dwelling of God in the person of the Holy Spirit? Paul would later write the following:
“16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man” Ephesians 3:16
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30
17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, Ephesians 5:17-18
We need to fall in excess love with the Holy Spirit. He is the God in here and now. He will strengthen us and grant us wisdom. Jesus said He is in us and will be with us. We cannot go wrong. Listen to Paul in Romans 8: 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God ….
26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us[b] with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. He is making intercessions for us and tells us for sure we are God’s children. Let the Holy Spirit lead you to pray God’s will. God must answer that prayer in His will. No wonder most of our prayers are not answered because we are prayer our own wills.
The Holy Spirit is grieved when ignored, not listened to and His voice is not obeyed when He speaks to us in small quiet voice of God. Be filled with the Holy Spirit today through studying and meditating on God’s Word and obey His voice. There is nothing spooky about the Holy Spirit of God. He is God. The Spirit needs a body to dwell in. Can you let Him come in today? The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Grace and He is our Comforter. Be comforted even right now in your situation by the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Dear Holy Spirit of God, please come and fill our hearts once again and have your rightful place in our hearts. Forgives us for times we have grieved you when we have knowingly ignored your voice and did the contrary. Jesus you said anyone who asks receives especially the Holy Spirit. We ask today that you fill us with yourself in a special measure so that we can be your witnesses to our generation. May your accompanying power of the Holy Spirit work in and through us today for your Glory and Honor, we pray. Amen.
What is the last thing you heard from the Holy Spirit? Please do it for God’s Glory. Amen.
Have a Grace Day today. Receive and give Grace to all today.
As we continue our study of the Epistle to the Ephesians, let’s zero in and pay attention to the person and work of the Holy Spirit. The Godhead is always present and work in union with each other - The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit. It seems we often forget the work of the Holy Spirit and even who He is.
Francis Chan wrote a book: Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit. Here is a summary capsule of the book from Amazon.com:
"Francis Chan offers a compelling invitation to understand, embrace, and follow the Holy Spirit’s direction in our lives.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and … the Holy Spirit. We pray in the name of all three, but how often do we live with an awareness of only the first two? As Jesus ascended into heaven, He promised to send the Holy Spirit—the Helper—so that we could be true and living witnesses for Christ. Unfortunately, today’s church has admired the gift but neglected to open it.
Breakthrough author Francis Chan rips away paper and bows to get at the true source of the church’s power—the Holy Spirit"
What has Paul written so far in our study about the Holy Spirit? In Ephesians 1, we are sealed and stamped approved with the Holy Spirit as belonging to God. If you are a believer and have trusted in Christ, you have the Holy Spirit in you though you may not know Him.
13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who[b] is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
Also in Ephesians 2, we have access to the Father by the Holy Spirit. We are also reminded that we are a dwelling place, a habitation of God in the Holy Spirit.
17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.
19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
Do you and I really know the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Godhead? The very one who has been given for the express purpose of being our “HELPER” is the one we really don’t know and don’t call upon and listen to. No wonder we are ineffective in many ways. It is like driving a stick shift car – No power.
The Holy Spirit brings the reality of God to us and puts into effect God’s Word and promises in our lives. “The Holy Spirit is the one who makes everything that Jesus did for you real in your life.” - Oswald Chambers
Can I challenge us to cultivate a hunger and taste for the dwelling of God in the person of the Holy Spirit? Paul would later write the following:
“16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man” Ephesians 3:16
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30
17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, Ephesians 5:17-18
We need to fall in excess love with the Holy Spirit. He is the God in here and now. He will strengthen us and grant us wisdom. Jesus said He is in us and will be with us. We cannot go wrong. Listen to Paul in Romans 8: 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God ….
26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us[b] with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. He is making intercessions for us and tells us for sure we are God’s children. Let the Holy Spirit lead you to pray God’s will. God must answer that prayer in His will. No wonder most of our prayers are not answered because we are prayer our own wills.
The Holy Spirit is grieved when ignored, not listened to and His voice is not obeyed when He speaks to us in small quiet voice of God. Be filled with the Holy Spirit today through studying and meditating on God’s Word and obey His voice. There is nothing spooky about the Holy Spirit of God. He is God. The Spirit needs a body to dwell in. Can you let Him come in today? The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Grace and He is our Comforter. Be comforted even right now in your situation by the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Dear Holy Spirit of God, please come and fill our hearts once again and have your rightful place in our hearts. Forgives us for times we have grieved you when we have knowingly ignored your voice and did the contrary. Jesus you said anyone who asks receives especially the Holy Spirit. We ask today that you fill us with yourself in a special measure so that we can be your witnesses to our generation. May your accompanying power of the Holy Spirit work in and through us today for your Glory and Honor, we pray. Amen.
What is the last thing you heard from the Holy Spirit? Please do it for God’s Glory. Amen.
Have a Grace Day today. Receive and give Grace to all today.
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