“Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also
had been baptized, and [while He was still] praying, the [visible]
heaven was opened
And the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove,
and a voice came from heaven saying, You are My Son, My
beloved!
In You I am well pleased and find delight!”
Luke 3:21, 22
This is a very familiar passage of scripture we can all agree. Pretty
straight forward as well but there is something else I saw that I
would like to share.
Jesus was about to start His ministry. But before He started He
had to be baptized. Something powerful happened as He got
baptized. The Holy Spirit came upon Him.
As I read this scripture I couldn’t move on. There were some
things which stood out for me.
Jesus would not be able to accomplish His mission without the
Holy Spirit. He would not be able to do all the things He did
without the Holy Spirit. He wasn’t getting baptized because it
was a “nice” thing to do.
Without the baptisim of the Holy Spirit Jesus would be powerless
and He would fail His mission.
As I was getting these insights I couldn’t help wonder if I really
understood the role of the Holy Spirit in me.
“However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is
profitable (good, expedient, advantageous) for you that I go away.
Because if I do not go away, the Comforter (Counselor, Helper,
Advocate, Intecessor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you
[into close fellowship with you]; but if I go away, I will send Him
to you [to be in close fellowship with you].”
John 16:7
I have not fully understood the role of the Holy Spirit in my life.
I have taken Him for granted but I see now.
I was wrong!
But it makes sense right, all the sense in the world! It makes
sense how God uses the foolish, the broken, the weak, to do
great things.
I have issues, major issues, flaws, weaknesses……..
I don’t do the right thing a lot,
I think wrong,
I get afraid at times,
I struggle speaking to strangers about Christ,
I struggle with self esteem,
I am lazy,
I am selfish…..the list goes on and on
We are broken but God knows that and He has the answer….
Let’s look at one man who had major issues, Peter.
He was afraid, he doubted Jesus a lot, and he denied the Lord
three times. He had issues like we do but….
“But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and
adressed them: You jews and all you residents of Jerusalem,
let this be [explained] to you so that you will know and
understand;
listen closely to what I have to say.”
Acts 2:14
He was bold!
“And [Peter] solemnly and earnestly witnessed (testified) and
admonished (exhorted) with much more continuous speaking and
warned (reproved, advised, encouraged) them, saying, Be saved
from this crooked (perverse, wicked, unjust) generation.
Therefore those who accepted and welcomed his message were
baptized, and there were added that day about 3000 souls.”
Acts 2:40, 41
He wasn’t afraid anymore. He spoke with power and authority,
something he didn’t have before.
“But Peter said, Silver and gold (money) I do not have; but what I
do have, that I give to you: in [the use of] the name of Jesus Christ
of Nazareth, walk!
Then he took hold of the man’s right hand with a firm grip and
raised him up. And at once his feet and ankle bones became strong
and steady, “
Acts 3:6, 7
I could give you more examples but you get the idea. There
was an amazing transformation in Peter’s life. He wasn’t perfect
but there was a change. He was spirit-filled!
He did amazing things for God because he had the Holy Spirit
living in him.
May we get a revelation of what it means to be spirit filled.
As I end I would like to share one more scripture:
“And if the Spirit of Him Who raised up Jesus from the dead
dwells in you, [then] He Who raised up Christ Jesus from the
dead will also restore to life your mortal (short-lived, perishable)
bodies through His Spirit Who dwells in you.
Romans 8:11
The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in me, lives
in you. I missed it somewhere but I see now.
I want to walk in the same power Jesus did? I need Him…
Without Him there is no power, no impact, no fruit!
What about you?
Will you seek Him, cry out to Him?
We all need Him if we are going to impact this world for Christ!
God bless you friends……
Rolain
photo credit: google images
Wow this is so good. It really showed me a new perspective . Thanks so much for this blessing!
& if you haven’t, read the book “The spirit filled life” by Charles Stanley: one of the most amazing books I’ve read, hands down! It’ll definitely bless you
I am really glad to hear that Neli.
The Holy Spirit wants to do His work in us. He wants us to walk into everything God has called us to.
I haven’t read “The Spirit filled life” but I will look for it. I am excited…thank you!
Have a great weekend! 🙂
Rolain
Rolain, we were thinking on the same things yesterday! I hope it’s okay to share:
https://churchsetfree.wordpress.com/2016/04/13/pegasus-in-us/
Hi Susan.
It’s okay to share and thank you.
Thx Rolerrol! Yes! We are here to walk in the fullness of Christ by the Holy Spirit! Otherwise why are we here? Excited for us all to rise up. We were created for such a time as this! Amazing and encouraging post, thx again!
Hey Hannah!!
It’s good to hear from you after a really long time! I hope you are well?!!
And yes, we are here to walk in the fullness of Christ by the Holy Spirit! He is always here with us, always longing to have a deeper relationship with us!
Thank you and blessings to you Hannah!
Rolain
Such a good message, Rolain. Without the Spirit we do things in our own strength and effort, but with the Spirit we act in God’s enabling power. There’s nothing better than that. What a privilege!
We are truly blessed for receiving such a Gift. We don’t have to live in our own strength because the Holy Spirit lives in us always! Thank you Ali….
As I was reading, I thought I would share my biggest revelation of what it meant to have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit – then I saw you had the same revelation.
I remember the first time it truly fell into my heart (dawned on me) that the same Holy Spirt that was powerful enough to raise Christ Jesus from the dead (with all the forces of opposition) dwells in me was an amazing revelation for me.
That the Holy Spirit of God can dwell in me, a vessel of clay… that this, the greatest mystery of all time, was also revealed to me – Christ in me, the hope of glory is astounding!
God is incredibly amazing!
Seriously! Who is like God; that He’d allow His Holy Spirit to dwell in each individual who receives His Son and ask for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Sometimes I’m ashamed at how little I utilize this powerhouse in me.
Thanks for another great message. Sorry for the length.
Don’t worry about the length. However many words you need to get across your point is what matters…haha
God is doing something in this time. I would urge you to read Susan’s link. What she shared was very relevant for this season! The link is in the comment section above. So this is not a particular person’s message but it’s a word from the Holy Spirit. He wants to move in a way we haven’t seen before but He needs us and like you said, we don’t fully understand what it means to be filled with the Spirit but that is beginning to change. As we ask Him to reveal the truth He will!
It’s now about applying what has been revealed to us.
Like my pastor always says,
Revelation gives you permission to enter.
Bless you friend
Rolain
Thank you.
I will go back and finish reading Susan’s link. I actually went, but had only read the first paragraph.
You’re right about the work of the Holy Spirit, and the change and outworking in the lives of those with the Holy Spirit is also quite noticeable. I agree things are changing in those who know ‘they’re carriers & citizens of a different kingdom’.
I like what your pastor says too.
Thanks for your blessing, I appreciate it.
Stay Blessed as well.