"Peter replied, 'Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
Acts 2:38
The gift of the Holy Spirit is both a baptism of power and a continual invitation to walk with the Holy Spirit as our friend and companion in life. It's not uncommon for people to view the Holy Spirit as something extra OR some non-essential element when in fact it is as much God as the person of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is simply another manifestation of the one true and living God. The Holy Spirit has been described as a power, wind, fire, river, feeling, force, presence and many other things but He is in fact the Spirit of Christ released into the world. As a matter of fact when Jesus was giving his final goodbyes, and commissioning His disciples to go into all the world, these were His words:
"But now I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, 'Where are You going? But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you." John 16:5-7 (NASB)The advantage that Jesus was referring to is the ability of the Holy Spirit to be with all believers at the same time, releasing "the very same spirit that raised Christ from the dead" (Romans 8:11). He promises to be at work and walking alongside us every day of our lives. What a promise!
As we walk with the Holy Spirit, we will discover that:
- He is our closest friend.
- He is our guide.
- He is the voice of God in our lives.
For our time together let's consider the Holy Spirit's ability to guide our lives, leading us into everything that God has planned for us. This is not an unreachable state of spiritual maturity or a care gift for a select few but it is our inheritance and God's desire for every believer, if we will simply walk closely with the Holy Spirit and prioritize our relationship with Him.
One of the attributes of the Holy Spirit is to give guidance and insight to those who follow Christ. When we walk with the Holy Spirit, we can be sure that He will guide us into all truth, and if we are being guided into all truth, it means that we are being steered away from deception. You cannot be led to truth and deceit at the same time. You can't travel in God's direction and be lost or confused at the same time. You may not know everything that's going on, or where you will end up, but you will have a deep peace and confidence that it's going to be good. Just keep following Him! The Holy Spirit guides us into God's promises and away from disillusionment and broken promises. He reveals God's plan for our future, thus giving us continual hope, vision, and passion as we move forward.
In light of these realities, it would be to our advantage to pursue a nearness and meaningful friendship with God through the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The Holy Spirit is our Guide! "Jesus taking the wheel" is the key to clear and consistent guidance. Determine in advance to follow where He leads. Don't try to get God to endorse and bless a path or decision that you've developed apart from His clear leading and confirmation through His Word. Be completely vulnerable and humble before Him. This is a place of safety, blessing and ultimate victory, even if it requires the temporary pain of laying down something or someone on the altar.
When God guides our steps, it will eventually and inevitably include a journey up a mountain of sacrifice and moments of letting go of the "valuable things" in our lives, only to discover the greater things that God has for us on the other side of the tests (See Genesis 22).
TAKE A MOMENT - Consider the areas of your life that need clear direction. Is there a decision up ahead that you are uncertain about which way to go? Is there a relationship that you are not quite sure how to navigate? Whatever you are going through today, the Holy Spirit is available and willing to give you direction. Simply wait on Him and ask in faith. I encourage you to write down your top three decisions that you need clarity on . Lay them before the Lord and ask the Holy Spirit to "lead you into all truth," and ask Him to tell you what your next step should be.
MEMORY VERSE
13 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 (NKJV)
PRAYER DIRECTIVE - As you pray, ask the Holy Spirt to walk with you in a nearness and with a friendship like you have never known. If you have unknowingly neglected conversation and fellowship with God who wants to live in you by the work of His Holy Spirit, that can change today! First, repent of anything that might have quenched the Holy Spirit in your life (1 Thessalonians 5:19) and second, invite Him to speak to you today. Pray for clarity in hearing and clear direction for every future decision. Know that the Holy Spirit guides you into all truth. Pray for greater understanding of His Word, a greater awareness of His presence and a greater activation of His gifts in your life. Today I pray you will be filled with the Spirit! After all, it is OUR ADVANTAGE!
Adapted from PURSUIT, by Dave Patterson, 2019, The Father's House.
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