THE FULLNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Without a purpose people perish. Everyone needs a sense of purpose . . . of meaning and direction.
The Holy Spirit doesn’t just fill (anoint, baptize, empower) us so that we have a feel good experience. The Holy Spirit has something more profound and permanent for us. The Holy Spirit draws us into a partnership with the Godhead – the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Isn’t that an incredible thought! God gives us the opportunity to be “on board” with Him – to represent Him and to extend His Kingdom upon this earth.
It’s also important to recognize that when an object is operated according to its purpose, it will always run much better than if it is operated against its purpose. When we operate according to the Creator, in accord with the “instruction manual” and under the authority of the Holy Spirit we can’t help but do what we were created to do – to know God and make him known and worshipped.
Today we conclude this 10-day prayer campaign. It has been a rewarding experience. However, it isn’t over. It’s like marriage. The honeymoon was great but it came to an end . . . and real marriage began. Living 24/7 with the one we love is what marriage is all about. So it is with our relationship with the Holy Spirit.
As we embark into the future, be reminded of the early Christians in the Book of Acts who looked to, interacted with, depended upon, and spoke about the Holy Spirit all the time. He was present in their homes, in their work, in their ministry outreaches, and in all their activities. He was constantly referenced. While the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) was absolutely great, the disciples’ reliance upon the Holy Spirit never ceased.
To say that the Holy Spirit was an indispensible part of their lives and intertwined in everything they did would be an understatement. There would be no Book of Acts without the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was, what seems to me to be, the only reason for their success.
But what has become painfully clear in Christianity today is the lack of the vitality of the Holy Spirit. Are we . . . and is the Church operating on its own strength? Listed below are a number of passages from the Word of God that refer to the Holy Spirit. It’s a limited list but let’s declare these verses aloud and let’s pray for the vitality of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Let me do what they did when they were commended to God and to the word of His grace which can build you up. (Acts 20:32)
SCRIPTURES
And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. (John 14:16-17)
I will pray in the spirit, and I will also pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit, and I will also sing in words I understand. (1 Corinthians 14:15) NLT
But as it is written: Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him. But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. (1 Corinthians 2:9-10) NKJV
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:2) NKJV
. . . You won’t succeed by might or by power, but by my spirit, says the Lord . . . (Zechariah 4:6) GW
The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you. (2 Corinthians 13:14) The Message
And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own . . . (Ephesians 4:30) NLT
He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself. (1 Corinthians 14:4)
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. (1 Corinthians 12:7-11) NKJV
Surely you know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you! (1 Corinthians 3:16) GNT
For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. (1 Corinthians 2:11) NASB
The anointing you received from Christ lives in you. You don’t need anyone to teach you something else. Instead, Christ’s anointing teaches you about everything. His anointing is true and contains no lie. So live in Christ as he taught you to do.(1 John 2:27) GW
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him! (Luke 11:13)
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] with groanings which cannot be uttered. 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. (Romans 8:26-27) NKJV
God confirmed the message by giving signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose. (Hebrews 2:4) NLT
The evidence of the Spirit’s presence is given to each person for the common good of everyone. (1 Corinthians 12:7) GW
Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin you lie. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 5:18) NLT
If you praise him in the private language of tongues, God understands you but no one else does, for you are sharing intimacies just between you and him. (1 Corinthians 14:2) The Message
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms . . . And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. (Ephesians 6:12, 18) NIV
Behold, I have given you authority . . . over all the power of the enemy. (Luke 10:19) ESV
He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy[b] Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. (John 7:38-39)
But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit. (Jude 20)
The Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (2 Corinthians 3:17)
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MY ASSIGNMENT FOR ETERNITY
Yesterday’s prayer bulletin contained a place to write the names of individuals who need the good news of Jesus Christ. Let’s again pray with the authority of Jesus Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit for the people on our list. We cannot give up on this great responsibility and we surely cannot give up on the people on our list. If we don’t pray for them, who will? If we don’t witness . . . who will?
Never forget that you can take nothing into eternity. But by your faithful witness and prayer, the people that you have led to the Lord will be there. It doesn’t get any better than that!
Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved. (Philippians 4:1)
After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you! (1 Thessalonians 2:19)
MY PRAYER: Holy Spirit, I pray that each person who has joined me for these 10 days will continue seeking You. Show them the wonders of the grace of God. Forgive and cleanse them where needed. Fill them afresh . . . over and over . . . with Your presence and power. Guide each one in the new paths You have for them and open up new doors for this stage of their life with You. Anoint them with Your fire to be Your witnesses. Thank you for all you have done in our lives. In Jesus’ name!