I would like to suggest to you that nothing really changes for us until we are filled up and over flowing with the Holy Spirit. When we have received that blessing from God it does not stop. Being filled with the Spirit is not a one-time experience but it’s on going, it’s the gift that keeps on giving!
After we are filled we need to ask ourselves, now what? Do we go on as if nothing happened? Do we ignore it or do we take that blessing and gift and make it known to the world? As my pastor would say, “Do something with it!”
Take the apostle Peter. He walked with Christ for years, ate with him, cussed, fussed and even cut off a soldier’s ear. Peter witnessed the miracles of Christ but yet nothing really changed for him. As we know Peter denied knowing Christ and not only did he deny his Savior but he denied his close friend. Nothing changed for Peter until he went to that little upper room and received the Holy Spirit and that’s when his world changed forever. Peter received the courage and power to move on and teach others about Christ; even to the point of bringing approximately 3000 souls to Jesus! Peter “did something with it” and there was no denying Christ after that! Now that’s power from the Holy Spirit!
Acts Chapters 1 and 2.
There are some religious people who profess to be Christian but yet they deny the Holy Spirit as part of the blessed Trinity. To deny the Holy Spirit is to deny the very essence and nature of God.
Here are just a few scriptures that validate how the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work together as ONE (in exact nature) to give us power, strength, and joy to His Christian disciples.
John 20:21
21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23
Jeremiah 17:10 “I, Yehovah, search the heart; I test the mind, even to give to each man according to his ways, according to the results of his deeds.” (The Father searches our hearts)
Revelation 2:23 “I am He who searches the reins and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds.” (Jesus searches the heart, thus claiming Jeremiah 17:10 for Himself)
1 Corinthians 2:10 “For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.” (The Holy Spirit searches our hearts)
Psalm 16:11 “You will make known to me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.” (The Father gives joy)
John 15:11 “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” (Jesus gives us joy)
Romans 14:17 “For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (The Holy Spirit gives us joy)
Hebrews 10:12-16
12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. 15 And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, 16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds.
If we deny the Holy Spirit we will miss out on that wonderful blessing from God. Remember, nothing really changes for us until we are filled up with the Spirit of God and that’s when we receive encouragement, power, wisdom, and strength and then we should do something with the gift that keeps on giving!
Sola Gratia,