Day #4 God–the Holy Spirit
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you;" ~Acts 1:8a
Jesus, God's own Son, was advising his disciples with these final words before His ascension into heaven. The Holy Spirit is possibly the most misunderstood being of the Holy Trinity. Before we reflect today, please know that I am offering up words that I feel compelled to write. My intent was clearly stated at the beginning, we are striving to realign relationships; in order to do that, we will have to shift our thinking. If my views don't match yours, that is completely fine; please make sure your thoughts match those of the Holy Spirit working in your heart.
Our routine:
Assessment: What is the current condition of my relationship with God, the Holy Spirit?
What is the purpose of this relationship?
What is the state of this relationship? What is going well? What isn’t?
What changes need to be made to this relationship?
Adjustment: Read and reflect on Bible verses. Do I know much about the Holy Spirit? What role does the Holy spirit have in my life?
Mark 1:10-11
"Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: 'You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am will pleased.'"
John 14:26
Acts 2:1-4
"When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."
Romans 8:14-16
“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father.' The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children."
Ezekiel 36:26-27
Romans 8:26-27
“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God."
So, who is the Holy Spirit?
What role does--or should--the Holy Spirit have in our lives? It seems that the Holy Spirit is a guide--a powerful guide. Jesus himself referred to the Spirit as an Advocate. This Spirit is in our hearts to lead us. This same Spirit directed Jesus and was quite a powerful force on the day of Pentecost.
Let's consider an idea I brought up in my first book, The Spiritual Sync; I, personally, like to think of the Holy Spirit as feminine. I believe that God, the Trinity, represents a Spiritual Family. Since Scripture clearly addresses Jesus as coming from a Spiritual Father, I logically consider that Jesus has a Spiritual Mother. I also acknowledge and understand that Joseph and Mary were Jesus' earthly parents, so we have our first surrogate situation.
As a mom myself, I know that parenting is such a shared responsibility, and my husband and I have complementary skills and traits that nurtured our children. I truly believe that since humans were created in the image of God, male and female, that our God has both masculine and feminine character.
Since we still live in an argumentative, outrage, cancel-anyone-we-disagree-with society, please understand that I only ask you to consider this view. You do not have to embrace or adopt this line of thinking. Just consider.
If someone has a not-so-great (or even nonexistent) relationship with his/her father, viewing a caring, loving heavenly Father may be challenging. If that same person has a loving and nurturing mother, it may be easier for that person to grasp and to put his/her faith in the loving Holy Spirit aspect of God.
We are still talking about the same Perfect God; we are expanding--rather than limiting--the view of our Creator. God the Father as the Provider and Protector; God the Holy Spirit as the Nurturer and Intuitive Guide. Whatever conclusion we each come to, at least our relationship with our God has been strengthened. We have reflected upon who the Holy Spirit is to us, and I certainly feel blessed to have this Presence in my life as a guide.
Let's consider a few more characteristics of this being within the Trinity:
Proverbs 8: 12, 14, 17, 19
I possess knowledge and discretion...
Counsel and sound judgment are mine;
I have insight, I have power...
I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me...
My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver."
What is the fruit of the Spirit?
Galatians 5:22-23
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."
Prayer:
Almighty God, We believe in You as our God. We love You. We want to know You better. Please build within us a better understanding of Your Holy Spirit. Please intercede for us and guide us to a right relationship with You. Guide us to wisdom and discernment; allow the fruit of Your Spirit to grow in our lives. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” ~Micah 6:8
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