THE HOLY SPIRIT STUDY :: GIFTS AND FRUIT

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 fruit given to us as believers and how to walk those out in our life each day. This is the second column in The Holy Spirit Study series.

The Spirit gives to one the gift of the word of wisdom. To another, the same Spirit gives the gift of the word of revelation knowledge. And to another, the same Spirit gives the gift of faith. And to another, the same Spirit gives gifts of healing. And to another the power to work miracles. And to another the gift of prophecy. And to another the gift to discern what the Spirit is speaking. And to another the gift of speaking different kinds of tongues. And to another the gift of interpretation of tongues. Remember, it is the same Holy Spirit who distributes, activates, and operates these different gifts as he chooses for each believer. ~ 1  Corinthians 12:8-10

Gifts of the Spirit are divinely anointed abilities graced on individual believers for the benefit of the church community. They are chosen by the Godhead for us. We don’t get to choose our spiritual gifts. We can’t wake up one day and decide we’re going to be a prophet or give words of knowledge. Spiritual gifts are given by God as the Father sees fit to whom He chooses. Most of us exhibit a mix of gifts. Few of us are completely represent only one. Attributes of different gifts present themselves in varying degrees in each of us. While there is usually one gift that dominates.

But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions: joy that overflows, peace that subdues, patience that endures, kindness in action, a life full of virtue, faith that prevails, gentleness of heart, and strength of spirit. Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless. ~ Galatians 5:22

Fruit of the Holy Spirit is completely different in the sense that they aren’t chosen by God for us specifically. Rather, every born again believer has access to the fruit of the spirit. Whether we walk in, or exercise, this fruit is up to us. As Jesus said, “A tree is known by its fruit.” The branch that is connected to the tree will bear the fruit of the tree it is connected to. A branch can’t choose the type of fruit it will bear. And it won’t bear fruit unless it stays connected to its source.  Therefore, although we have full access through the Holy Spirit to all His fruit, unless we stay connected to Him consistently the fruit we bear may be rotten. 

Over the next several months we will be studying the gifts and the fruit of the Holy Spirit. We will alternate between the them starting in March with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. I hope you will come along with me on this deep dive into the various attributes of the Holy Spirit.

Take some time to worship God with this beautiful song by City Harvest Church.

THE HOLY SPIRIT STUDY :: WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT?

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