Email from Abiding Place Daily Bread – July 19, 2024 (The Seventh Day – Genesis 2:1-3) John 16:13 – But when the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you into all truth, for indeed He will not speak on His Own, but whatever He hears, He will speak, and He will announce to you what is coming. Relationship with the Holy Spirit There is a great need among those who attend Church to realize how they are supposed to have a relationship with the Holy Spirit. It seems many are confused by this, so let me assure you a relationship with the Holy Spirit is the means by which we come to know Jesus. By the Holy Spirit, we are taught the ways of God and are empowered to live out the divine life. He is the One Who brings the love, joy, and peace into our lives (Galatians 5:22-23). By the Holy Spirit, we are empowered to function in signs, wonders, and miracles (1 Corinthians 12:7, 11). The work of the Holy Spirit transforms us into a new creation (John 3:3-6; Romans 8:9). We are His temple, and by Him, Jesus dwells in our hearts (1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19; 1 John 3:24). The personal nature of our interaction with the Holy Spirit should be as personal as the interaction of the disciples with Jesus. The Holy Spirit has come to be our leader, or guide, and instructor. We should be able to hear His voice, respond to His inspirations, and know His manner and disposition. The dynamics of this relationship should not be abstract, but rather as apparent as our disposition and attitude at any moment. The nature of the Holy Spirit is one of love and joy and peace. The message and revelation He brings is a continual unveiling of all the Father has and all Christ Jesus is. If we would simply give ourselves to His joy and refuse to allow sorrow and depression, we would find ourselves being empowered by Him to do the things He is doing (Romans 14:17; 1 Peter 1:8). The Holy Spirit desires to lead us into all of the truth. Therefore, if we give ourselves to obeying the Word and look only to Him for the ability to do the things pleasing the Father, we will always find Him there ready to help. However, if we refuse to acknowledge how God demands we walk in love that passes knowledge, joy unspeakable, and peace passing understanding, then there will be no place for the Spirit of truth to function in our lives. If we are unwilling to live a life consecrated to doing the will of the Father and walking in the ways of holiness, the Holy Spirit will not find yielded hearts to His instruction and revelation that would empower us to be what God has made us to be. Blessings, Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
Daily Bread 7/19/2024
