Holy Spirit – Reaching Hurting Women Ministries

Reaching Hurting Women Ministries OFFERS FOUR THEMES FOR CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH of THE YEAR.

EACH OF THE FOUR POWER-PACKED THEMES are A 12-MONTH study SERIES ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS I’LL BE REVIEWING TOUCHING INSPIRATIONAL MUSIC.

On the second Friday of each month in 2021 we’re studying the Holy Spirit. We will learn who the Holy Spirit is, about His gifts and fruits to us as believers and how to walk those out in our life each day. This is the first column in The Holy Spirit Study series.

Who is the Holy Spirit?

Today we begin our study series on the Holy Spirit. Come along as we dive into one of the deepest subjects in all of Christianity. Probably the most misunderstood person of the Godhead; the Holy Spirit has existed since the beginning of time. He was with God the Father at Creation, caused Mary to conceive, was at the baptism of Jesus, and rested on the apostles like tongues of fire on the Day of Pentecost.

Let’s look at a several of the attributes and workings of the Holy Spirit in Scripture and in our lives.

The Holy Spirit as Third Person in the Trinity

As the third person of the Holy Trinity the Holy Spirit was involved in creation with God the Father and Jesus Christ, the Son. He fully possesses all the divine attributes of God, gave life to God’s creatures and gives spiritual life to us.

The Holy Spirit has great power, performs miracles and raised Christ from the dead. He is everywhere and all powerful; eternal with no beginning or end. He dwells in Heaven with the Father and Christ, yet in the heart of every believer here on earth.

I’m an open book to you;
    even from a distance, you know what I’m thinking.
You know when I leave and when I get back;
    I’m never out of your sight.
You know everything I’m going to say
    before I start the first sentence.
I look behind me and you’re there,
    then up ahead and you’re there, too—
    your reassuring presence, coming and going.
This is too much, too wonderful—
    I can’t take it all in! ~ Psalm 139:1-6

The Holy Spirit’s Work in the Church

The Holy Spirit is the church’s greatest partner in evangelizing the world for Christ. He convicts hearts of sin, testifies of Christ, intercedes on our behalf and comforts in times of need. He directs decisions of the church, chooses and sends out missionaries and directs the missionary enterprises.

In one of the most fascinating verses in Scripture, before commissioning His apostles, Jesus appeared to them in a locked room…

Then, taking a deep breath, he blew on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. ~ John 20:22

Only those uniquely called in the Old Testament received the anointing of the Holy Spirit. But because of Jesus and the New Covenant every believer is given new life and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.

For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets.~ 1 Corinthians 2:10-11

The Holy Spirit’s Work in Believers

The Holy Spirit draws us into fellowship. He teaches us about Christ, convicts us of sin, enables us to find the truth, reveals God’s secrets and shows us God’s love. He helps us live the Christian life, prays for us in times of crisis, gives us His sword to fight Satan and even raises the dead

God, the searcher of the heart, knows fully our longings, yet he also understands the desires of the Spirit, because the Holy Spirit passionately pleads before God for us, his holy ones, in perfect harmony with God’s plan and our destiny. ~ Romans 8:27

The Holy Spirit encourages us, gives us the power to witness and then teaches us what to say. He sanctifies our lives, gives us the gifts of the Spirit and works His fruit in us.

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. …Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. ~ Galatians 5:22-26

In the life of a believer, the Holy Spirit signifies God’s ownership. Because of the fruit we bear in our lives, the Holy Spirit is the proof of future blessings bringing us a taste of eternal life and power.

Who is the Holy Spirit?

As we have learned the Holy Spirit is a person who hears and speaks, experiences feelings of joy or grief. He counsels, encourages, testifies, teaches and prays. While He can be resisted, tested and angered, the Holy Spirit is all merciful, forgiving and loving.

In this post there is no way we can possibly uncover all there is to know about the Holy Spirit. Even after a lifetime of study and relationship with God, one would still be left wanting and needing to know more.

In my writing preparation I’ve come away with a greater understanding of the Holy Spirit. I pray you have as well. Next month we will learn about the gifts and fruit of the Spirit. See you then. Blessings…

Join me as we prayerfully sing with Bryan and Katie Torwalt:

“Holy Spirit–You are welcome here. Flood this place [and my heart] and fill this atmosphere.”

Photo Credit: gracel21

For the better part of January I have been knocked down by the flu virus. More than the usual sniffles and body aches, I was immobilized by chest congestion that brought wheezing, a non-stop cough and loss of breath.

A book I’m reading on Christian mysticism brought a new perspective on the simple act of breathing.*

In the Judeo-Christian tradition the name of God is Yahweh. Written in the Sacred Hebrew tetragrammaton: YHVH (yod, he, vac, and he) it was considered unspeakable by the Jews. This unspeakability has been recognized for a long time but some see it deeper way, not only as a word formally unspoken but a word breathed. Many are convinced the correct pronunciation of Yahweh is replicating the sound of inhalation and exhalation.

Imagine… our first and last words entering and leaving this world, the one thing we do every moment of our life is actually speaking the name of God. This should make me have more respect for my lungs and the breath given me by the Holy Spirit!

Try this meditation/breathing technique: Breath in whispering Yah. Then breath out whispering Weh.

YAH-WEH… YAH-WEH… YAH-WEH… YAH-WEH… YAH-WEH…