Posted on 09/05/2015 5:56:21 AM PDT by metmom
“‘But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth’” (John 16-13).
The Holy Spirit has to come alongside believers because they can’t minister by their own strength.
As a Christian, you can be orthodox and correct about every detail of theology. You might even show a certain willingness and ability to minister. But unless and until you rely on the Holy Spirit for all you do, your efforts will be ineffective. Think of a new car that has the most polished exterior and the finest of accessories but no engine. It will look great, but it certainly won’t run.
Unfortunately, that illustration applies all too often to contemporary believers. They tend to overlook or minimize the Holy Spirit’s role—either by overreacting to charismatic extravagances or by focusing most of their attention on man-centered ministry techniques and “innovative” approaches. But the Lord impressed upon the disciples’ hearts and minds on more than one occasion their need for the Holy Spirit’s power and resources—from routine daily tasks like fishing (Luke 5:4-9) to more imposing ministry challenges like casting an evil spirit out of a man’s son (Mark 9:14-29).
Because God has purposefully promised and sent the Spirit within the larger panorama of His sovereignty, we should have the same conviction about the need for the promised Helper as the disciples did shortly after Christ ascended. In conclusion, notice Peter’s confidence in God’s plan, as set forth in his sermon on the Day of Pentecost: “This Man [Jesus Christ], delivered up by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. And God raised Him up again. . . . Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear” (Acts 2:23, 33).
Suggestions for Prayer
Confess any attitudes and actions that may have kept you from seeing the need to rely on the Holy Spirit. Pray that you would walk in greater dependence on Him this week.
For Further Study
Acts 1 marked a time of preparation for the coming of the promised Spirit. Read the chapter, and jot down ways in which the disciples prepared and previewed their faith in the promise.
Praise God that the Holy Spirit lives in us to will and to do according to God’s good pleasure.
Great post! I can honestly say that from experience that I really feel sorry for anyone that doesn’t have the Holy Spirit living in them. I lived most of my life without his guidance and looking back I missed out on so much. Fast forward to today I just couldn’t make it without his guidance. I can always feel his presence and he really makes me feel alive, safe, peaceful, and ready for anything that life will throw at me. Praise the Living God for this wonderful gift.
AMEN!!!!
Why are you continuing to post on caucus threads in violation of the RF guidelines?
RM, this appears to be becoming a habit.
Can something be done to address this?
Maybe that’s because I’m not spamming my own threads myself with 20+ comments.
The whiner is probably here because he has nothing but "religion" in his life. There is no relationship with the Holy Spirit with so many. Their relationship is with their "church". Their dependence for any type of religious contact is within the boundaries of rote and ritual, and blind obedience to their error, upon threat of excommunication. They are lost, and seeking something, but don't know what it is. At least maybe he reads some of these. WE can pray for their salvation.
God speaks to me through these posts. His Holy Spirit brings peace to my soul when I read the testimonies and sermons found within them.
That is the thing missing in the ritual posts we see from their side. We see one person post repetitious threads year after year, and respond to those posts when nobody appears to care to respond.I believe it has something to do with
I have no reason to respond to most of these caucus threads. I read them and get fed red meat. I don't look to crackers and wine for my salvation. I already have the promise from the Master!
When you have nothing else but whine, try eating cheese!
TC, please respect the caucus rules, and leave.
LOL.
Goes perfectly with the name of his book...Strength For Today.
I don’t often post but I do read these articles everyday. Thank you for these uplifting reminders, mom!
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