The Holy Spirit

While he was trying to figure a way out, he had a dream. God's angel spoke in the dream: "Joseph, son of David, don't hesitate to get married. Mary's pregnancy is Spirit-conceived. God's Holy Spirit has made her pregnant. She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him Jesus - 'God saves' - because he will save the people from their sins." Matthew 1:20-21 The Message

God's Holy Spirit - let's take a moment today to consider the Holy Spirit. Starting with what we read in the gospel's about some of His interactions with Jesus, and then what Jesus tells us about the Holy Spirit. I pray that as you read these scriptures, God will give you fresh revelation about His Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit was the one who made Mary pregnant. 

As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, "Joseph, son of David," the angel said, "do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1:20 NLT

The Holy Spirit descended and landed on Jesus when He was baptized in the river.

The moment Jesus came up out of the baptismal waters, the skies opened up and he saw God's Spirit - it looked like a dove - descending and landing on him. And along with the Spirit, a voice: "This is my Son, chosen and marked by my love, delight of my life." Matthew 3:16 The Message

The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wild for a time of testing.

Then Jesus was led (guided) by the [Holy] Spirit into the wilderness (desert) to be tempted (tested and tried) by the devil. Matthew 4:1 AMP

And after that testing ...

Jesus returned to Galilee powerful in the Spirit. News that he was back spread through the country. He taught in their meeting places to everyone's acclaim and pleasure. Luke 4:14 The Message

Jesus teaches us some things about the Holy Spirit. He tells us that in times when we are asked to give a defense for our faith, we are not to worry, the Holy Spirit will give us the words to say.

"Don't be naive. Some people will impugn your motives, others will smear your reputation - just because you believe in me. Don't be upset when they haul you before the civil authorities. Without knowing it, they've done you  - and me - a favour, given you a platform for preaching the kingdom news! And don't worry about what  you'll say or how you'll say it. The right words will be there; the Spirit of your Father will supply the words. Matthew 10:17-20 The Message

Jesus warns us about speaking against, and rejecting the Holy Spirit.

"There's nothing done of said that can't be forgiven. But if you deliberately persist in your slanders against God's Spirit, you are repudiating the very One who forgives. If you reject the Son of Man out of some misunderstanding, the Holy Spirit can forgive you, but when you reject the Holy Spirit, you're sawing off the branch on which you're sitting, severing by your own perversity all connection with the One who forgives. Matthew 12:31-32 The Message

Finally Jesus commissions us ....

Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: "God authorised and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20 The Message

And He doesn't leave us alone to do that ....

I will talk to the Father, and he'll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you. This Friend is the Spirit of Truth. The godless world can't take him in because it doesn't have eyes to see him, doesn't know what to look for. But you know him already because he has been staying with you, and will even be in you! John 14:16-17 The Message

So we too, have the Holy Spirit, to teach us.

The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. John 14:26 The Message

And to guide us and give us revelation ..

 

But when the Friend comes, the Spirit of the Truth, he will take you by the hand and guide you into all the truth there is. He won't draw attention to himself, but will make sense of out of what is about to happen and, indeed, out of all that I have done and said. He will honor me; he will take from me and deliver it to you. Everything the Father has is also mine. That is why I've said, 'He takes from me and delivers to you.' John 16:13-15 The Message

After Jesus rose from the dead, He visited the disciples in a locked room, and breathed into them.

Later on that day, the disciples had gathered together, but, fearful of the Jews, had locked all the doors in the house. Jesus entered, stood among them, and said, "Peace to you," Then he showed them his hands and side. The disciples, seeing the Master with their own eyes, were exuberant. Jesus repeated his greeting: "Peace to you. Just as the Father sent me, I send you."  Then he took a deep breath and breathed into them. "Receive the Holy Spirit," he said. "If you forgive someone's sins, they're gone for good. If you don't forgive sins, what are you going to do with them?" John 20:19-23 The Message

We know from The Bible that God the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are one. We can see in these scriptures how Jesus and the Holy Spirit worked together to accomplish all that God the Father wanted Jesus to do on earth. 

When Jesus left earth He gave us the ability to receive the Holy Spirit and be guided by Him to enable us to do all that God the Father wants us to do on this earth. 

Question for today, are we fully interacting with the Holy Spirit, listening to Him in all situations, obeying what He prompts us to do? Remember, He won't draw attention to Himself. We have the responsibility to pay attention to Him - not always easy when our flesh has it's own ideas.

Today, let's ask God to help us pay more attention to the beautiful gift of the Holy Spirit, so we can do more of what God has called us each to do.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen

2 Corinthians 13:14 NKJV