John 16:7-15
Have you ever thought that if only Jesus were here with us today we'd be able to see things more clearly or maybe understand something better? I know I have. But Jesus makes it clear in John 16 that his returning to the Father was necessary and a good thing for us because if he didn't go away the Holy Spirit (our "Helper") would not come to us. (vs.7). And then Jesus says this: "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth." Now there's a promise I want to grab onto.
So how do we make the most of the Holy Spirit living in us and guiding us in our lives? Any examples of the Holy Spirit being your "Helper"? Tami W.
P.S. Today starts week two of the series The God Within: What the Holy Spirit Does on Back to the Bible. If you haven't gotten the opportunity to listen yet, I encourage you to join us for the program this week. It's really a great study and it's packed full of information on the Holy Spirit.
He is my helper and I can trust His guidance and direction. Often when I pray I don't know what to say or how to say it. I depend on the Holy Spirit to speak for me. "Romans 8:26. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."
Making the most of the Holy Spirit living in us means being connected to the Father through prayer, Bible Study, meditation and scripture memory. If we are not in tune with the Father, it becomes difficult for us to take advantage of what the Holy Spirit is trying to teach us.
He is my reminder! He does convict me but reminds me that I do not have to feel alone. My feelings are not what keeps me in Jesus. I praise the Father Son and HOLY SPIRIT.
I have been listening to the Gospel of John by CD for the past few days.
My heart desires to understand & acknowledge more of God's Holy Spirit.
Even though I have been a Christian and served the Lord I realize more
and more I have no idea how to use the Holy Spirit. I do not like to the
word use. It sounds disrespectful. If I came up with better word I will
share it. I will make use of the Dictionary & a descriptive book.
Today marks a step in the right direction. For me conviction from the Holy Spirit is like an "!", a line in the sand, or the flashing neon sign stating clear directions in the way I should go or "Danger Ahead" turn around. I am so thankful for the Holy Spirit in my life. As much as I want to serve the Lord out of love (still trying to master that lesson) I still seem to obey more often out of fear. It is a scary place to be when I find myself no longer being convicted by the Holy Spirit, not sure why that happens but I do not like it. I am finally grasping most of this lesson and can't wait until tomorrow. The BTTB program has truly impacted my life for the good and hopefully for the glory of God.
PS. I thank God for "!" in my life.
What wonderful comments. I especially enjoyed the "!". The Holy Spirit covers me in time of utter despair and brings me Peace. How Mighty Is Our God!!
Tami, like you, I think that if Jesus Christ were here today in person, we would be better able to understand and see more clearly what the Word of God truly means. However, when I think back to the Old Testament when God freed the Israelites (Exodus) and He provided for them; God gave them food; He protected them from Pharaoh; and even did miraculous signs and wonders yet still the Israelites were without faith in The Lord. I think if Jesus were here today, we would be like Thomas after the Resurrection. We need to see it to believe it. It says in John 20:29b “Blessed are they who did not see me and yet believed.” We are believers yet we have not seen the face of Jesus Christ. We know the Holy Spirit is in us because we are sinners, saved by grace. Thank you, Jesus!
Making the most of The Holy Spirit living in me and guiding my life is a process. When I have thought that I can do things on my own I have come to realize that things are better when I follow and not lead. When I pray for guidance, I have learned to wait. Although sometimes the answer I seek is a firm “no”, the Holy Spirit has let me know when I have did what I wanted and not what He wanted me to do. We need to be obedient and yield to the guide our Holy Spirit provides for us. We need to let God be God!!
I think everyone had good answers to Tami's question for this lesson. I find that as I read God's word and connect with others who do as well that I feel more connected with the Holy Spirit. I too have tims of dispare and Thank God for the comforter. I speak in tongues too and I know he hears me when I pray to Him that way and He strengthens me as well so I am better able to handle what comes down the road. God Bless my P4 partners!
I too want more of the personal revelation of the Holy Spirit in my life. I feel like I'm limiting myself and what God wants to pour out on me by not knowing much about the Holy Spirit and it's role in my life. I see the Spirit as my conscious of what I should and should not be doing. I'm looking forward to Dr. Woodrow's lessons and more importantly, I'm looking forward to getting some comfort from my Comforter!
Dorothy,
First we need to keep in mind the Holy Spirit is a person, so it would be more appropriate to ask how do we relate to the Holy Spirit rather than "use." A key verse in understanding our relationship with the Holy Spirit is Ephesians 5:18, "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit." Paul draws a parallel between being "under the influence" of alcohol (drunk) with being "under the influence" of the Holy Spirit. So it's not a matter of using the Holy Spirit, but of letting Him use or control us.
Another important aspect of our relationship with the Spirit is also revealed in this verse. The word "filled" is in a tense in the original language which means "to be continually filled." Paul is admonishing us to be constantly under the influence of the Holy Spirit, because, if the truth were told, we sometimes reject that influence. Instead of being obedient to the Spirit as He reveals truths from God's Word and applies them to our lives, we choose to do things "our way." This is why the Bible tells us in Ephesians 4:30 to "grieve not the Holy Spirit" (we can actually make Him sad as He watches us make a mess of our lives by following our own will) and in 1 Thessalonians 5:19 to "quench not the Spirit" (we don't allow the Holy Spirit to control our actions--we willfully suppress Him).
I would suggest that you begin each day by asking the Holy Spirit to show you His will (God's will) for that day. As you read your Bible, ask Him to open your eyes to the truths you will read and show you how to apply them to your life. Ask Him to give you the strength to follow through on these applications. And when you fail, confess it and get back on track again (1 John 1:9).
So the Holy Spirit is not the instrument and we are the ones who wield it, rather we are the instruments and the Holy Spirit is the One who wield us.
Allen, Biblical Correspondent at Back to the Bible
i love the word of encourgement on the Holy Spirit by Allen.The Holy Spirit is the right and best companion for me .i dont think i can do without Him.We become incapable without Him and that why we should always handover every thing to Him for a better result.