However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come (John 16:13)
Who is the Holy Spirit? What does He mean to you?
In this devotional, we will focus on some of the characteristics of the Holy Spirit that should help and inspire believers of all ages. To begin, we see the Holy Spirit as the One who was at work at the time of creation. The earth was without form and void of life until the Holy Spirit began to move upon it (Genesis 1:2).
The Holy Spirit enabled Jesus as the Son of God to become The Son of Man through the womb of Mary at the conception (Matthew 1:20).
It was the Holy Spirit that empowered Jesus as the Son of Man to fulfil the will of His heavenly Father (Hebrews 9:14).
It was the Holy Spirit that brought Christ back to life after three days in the tomb (Mark 16:6). It is the same Holy Spirit that can quicken our weary bodies back to life with a renewed joy and strength.
Jesus emphasised the person and ministry of the Holy Spirit in the days leading up to His death. He recognised the challenges that would be faced by His disciples after His departure back to heaven. The assurances He gave to them need to be received and applied by the believers of our day. Here are a few examples:
The Spirit of Truth
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 14:17)
Jesus made clear that the last days would be filled with great deception. One of the ministries of the Holy Spirit is to help guide the believer into all truth and to help discern between the false and the true. Our part is to have a love for the Truth and His Commandments (John 14:15). The promise is also given that the Holy Spirit will dwell within the life of those who let Him (1 Corinthians 3:16).
The Holy Spirit is upon you
“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; (Isaiah 61:1)
Jesus spoke the same words before a skeptical audience when he was presented the Book of Isaiah (Luke 4:17-18). The same Spirit that empowered Jesus as the Son of Man is the same Spirit that is available to us. Take note of what Jesus shared concerning this outpouring of God’s Spirit.
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. (John 14:12)
A quick survey of the gospels makes clear of the many signs and wonders that Jesus performed during His earthly ministry. Are you aware that the greater works have yet to take place? The church needs this anointing of the Holy Spirit in order to fulfil its end-time mandate. Spend a bit of time to allow this truth to sink in!
The Time is Now
“And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions. (Joel 2:28)
The Apostle Peter assumed the fulfilling of this verse at the time of Pentecost (Acts 2:16-17). He was partially correct! The greater fulfilment is yet to come. This is why Jesus placed such an emphasis on the person of the Holy Spirit to His disciples. Are we hearing what the Spirit is speaking? Are we preparing?
The Spirit or the flesh
that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. (Romans 8:4-5)
This devotional provides a small sampling of the ministry work of the Holy Spirit. In this day and hour, there needs to be a desperate cry for the Holy Spirit to come into our lives in both His fullness and power. Come Holy Spirit, we need you!
DAILY MEDITATIONS:
Monday: Romans 8:14
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
Tuesday: Ezekiel 37:14
I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken it and performed it,” says the LORD.’”
Wednesday: Revelation 3:22
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’”
Thursday: Romans 8:11
But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
Friday: John 21:18
Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.”
Saturday: Isaiah 11:2
The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.
Sunday: Matthew 1:20
But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
All scriptures are quoted from the New King James Version (NKJV).
By Pastor Timothy O’Connell
