The Holy Spirit and Power
The Holy Spirit and Power
Is there evidence in our lives that the Holy Spirit abides in our hearts? Is the Holy Spirit simply another way to view God in our minds? Do we actively engage, solicit, or pursue a relationship with the Holy Spirit?
Over the years, it has been discussed and debated what constitutes evidence of being filled with the Holy Spirit. However, when we get down to the reality of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we need to know one thing. He, like the Father and Jesus, allows our free will. Therefore, having the Holy Spirit in our lives is a connection and a relationship we must continue to engage with daily.
So how do we know we have the Holy Spirit dwelling, abiding, and living in our hearts? One of the most apparent identifiers is we have power.
Luke says in Acts:
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria,
and to the ends of the earth."
Acts 1:8 NIV
We have the power to follow Jesus, His principles, and precepts in our daily lives.
We have the power to say no to the things we know are wrong. We have the power to do the right things. We have the power to choose what we are going to think about and ponder. We have the power to choose what we will listen to and spend time watching. We have the power to determine our attitude.
When we invite the Holy Spirit to be a part of our decisions, thinking, attitudes, and actions; we have the power to choose to do what is right. We have the power to love when loving isn't so easy. We have the power to overcome overwhelming obstacles when we are sure we cannot. We have the power to make a difference in the lives of those around us.
We have the power to love those who aren't so easy to love, we have the power to choose to forgive, and we have the power to be a reflection of our heavenly Father to a tired and hurting world.
A young mom shared one day about her philosophy on correcting her children. She said, "it wasn't about the "golden rule" doing unto others, as you would have them do unto you or how would you feel if others did to you what you just did to them. She wanted her children to do what is right regardless of how they would feel".
Doing what is right regardless of our emotions is God's desire for us as a child or as an adult.
But there are days we struggle, face emotions that get us in trouble, sometimes feeling so low a worm has to dig deep to get under us, or lost, not sure where we belong. Maybe we wake up on the bed's wrong side and don't see a thing we are happy about or angry about because someone has taken what we have. We can have our emotions, but they can't control us when the Holy Spirit is invited into our day, first thing when our eyes open.
When we invite the Holy Spirit to actively participate in our hearts, thoughts, plans, and actions, we have the power to choose our focus for the day. The Holy Spirit can guide us, nudge us if you will, what things to turn our thoughts to as in Philippians:
"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
Philippians 4:8 NIV
The Holy Spirit can show us what our worth really is, not how we sometimes view ourselves, whether puffed up or torn down, but as God sees us. Peter says we are a royal priesthood:
"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
1 Peter 2:9 NIV
When invited into our day, the Holy Spirit will remind us of what Jesus taught and how we can live well, fulfilling all of whom God created us to be with power and strength. Jesus promised us this:
"But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you."
John 14:26 NIV
When we invite the Holy Spirit in, He gives us the strength and power to do what is right, to fight the good fight: and win! So Paul tells us in Romans:
"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 8:37-39 NIV
When we invite the Holy Spirit into our hearts, knowing we have done wrong, whether by motive, word, or action, filled with guilt: He reminds us that we are forgiven and reconciled to God. Or when we hold bitterness or anger towards someone who has hurt us, we are reminded that we are in a relationship of reconciliation. Paul says it this way:
"All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation."
2 Corinthians 5:18-19 NIV
Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit and power.
Luke tells us in Acts:
"You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached—how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil because God was with him.
Acts 10:37-38 NIV
Let's consider if Jesus had the power from the Holy Spirit to reconcile the world to the Father and what we can do with the same Holy Spirit active and participating with power in our lives. Jesus says He will ask the Father to do the same for us, and He did.
John recounts Jesus' words:
"All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
John 14:25-27 NIV
If Jesus, the Son of God – Son of Man received and depended on the Holy Spirit, we could be comforted that we have the same gift from God our Heavenly Father to run our race with power and strength, goodness, and grace.
Have you invited the Holy Spirit to be an active part of your day?