Our adult Sunday School class is having a great study on the person of the Holy Spirit. Doris Rodriguez is leading a study written by Charles Stanley on the topic, but really everyone is joining in and sharing. I would encourage you do get up on Sunday mornings and be at the church around 9:45, it is well worth it.
One of the ideas that comes up over and over is how we see the Holy Spirit and how he fits into our life as a Christian. Many of us grew up at a time when we really didn’t talk about him (often he was just an it). We kind of ran away from him, which is hard to do since he is the part of God that lives within us as Christians. We saw him as more of an intruder instead of an indweller. But the Holy Spirit is a central part of God’s promise to us. In baptism we receive forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). He is a guarantee to us of our future inheritance, a deposit or down payment from God to us (Ephesians 1:13,14). He is our comforter, our guide, our source of strength and ability. He is our intimate connection to God (Romans 8:26,27). So to diminish his place in our lives is to diminish God’s role in our lives and to rob us of all the blessings that God wants us to have.
When I realize that God is present with me each and every moment, not only is that a comfort it is also a challenge. It’s harder to willfully sin when you feel that presence right there with you. When you were growing up did you cuss in front of mom and dad, or did you find yourself much more aware of how you were acting and talking? That presence should be felt at all times, both as an encouragement and as a reminder. We need to see the Spirit as a part of our life in Christ. We need to be aware that wherever we are he is in our presence. We simply need to SEE the Holy Spirit, because he is right here, right now.
I hope to SEE you in Sunday School this coming Sunday.
Don
One of the ideas that comes up over and over is how we see the Holy Spirit and how he fits into our life as a Christian. Many of us grew up at a time when we really didn’t talk about him (often he was just an it). We kind of ran away from him, which is hard to do since he is the part of God that lives within us as Christians. We saw him as more of an intruder instead of an indweller. But the Holy Spirit is a central part of God’s promise to us. In baptism we receive forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). He is a guarantee to us of our future inheritance, a deposit or down payment from God to us (Ephesians 1:13,14). He is our comforter, our guide, our source of strength and ability. He is our intimate connection to God (Romans 8:26,27). So to diminish his place in our lives is to diminish God’s role in our lives and to rob us of all the blessings that God wants us to have.
When I realize that God is present with me each and every moment, not only is that a comfort it is also a challenge. It’s harder to willfully sin when you feel that presence right there with you. When you were growing up did you cuss in front of mom and dad, or did you find yourself much more aware of how you were acting and talking? That presence should be felt at all times, both as an encouragement and as a reminder. We need to see the Spirit as a part of our life in Christ. We need to be aware that wherever we are he is in our presence. We simply need to SEE the Holy Spirit, because he is right here, right now.
I hope to SEE you in Sunday School this coming Sunday.
Don
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