The Holy Spirit is here! week 5

The Holy Spirit is the very thing that enables us to do the work God has called us to do! The Spirit gives us power. That Holy Spirit is here with us today and always!

When Jesus was crucified, died and buried, all things seemed bleak, as if it were over. But it was not the end of the story. Three days later, the Son of God rose from the grave and continued to teach us, preparing us to receive the greatest gift. And He told us, “I must go. But God will send another Helper, the Comforter.”

When Jesus ascended into heaven, He did not leave us. He made way for the Holy Spirit to come and embody us. That same Spirit Jesus had now resides within us. “Emmanuel” means God with us and that is what we are today. God’s powerful Spirit living and breathing within us! How exciting is that!

Now in Acts 4, we are given one more tool, the most powerful tool of all, the power of prayer!

If you remember from the last few weeks, Peter and John continued to spread the message of God and were seized because of it. They explained that there is no other name that salvation comes through. Many more joined the movement and the rulers became concerned. These new followers joined in praising God. Then, Peter and John were released. Now they pray together.

We are representatives of God to the outside world.

Let’s continue reading.

²³ On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. ²⁴ When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. ²⁵ You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:

²⁷ Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. ²⁸ They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. ²⁹ Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. ³⁰ Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

³¹ After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.”

This is power! Have you ever prayed with others to the point that the place where you stood was shaking? When the Holy Spirit works, we can speak boldly and expect God to do great things!

Praise. Pray. Thanks!

1 Thessalonians 5?19 says, ¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit,

but if you go just a few verses back in 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18, it reads, “ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray continually, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

This is the formula. Rejoice, which is praise. Pray continually, some versions say, pray without ceasing. Never stop praying! And give thinks. Why? for this God’s will for us in Christ Jesus. This is our power!

There is power that God has given us. It is living within. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are given tools. We need these tools but the best tool we have is prayer. Never underestimate the power of your prayers! Never stop praying. Never stop praising! Never stop thanking God!

Merciful God, thank you for giving us your Holy Spirit. Help us to pray without ceasing and embrace all that you have called us to be and do. In Jesus name, Amen! 

P.S. Leave me a comment below because I love hearing from you. Forward this message to a friend that might need some encouragement today! Post on Facebook and tag me in it. And meet me back here next week as we learn what all the praying and praising makes us do! -M