RHM Devotional: By My Spirit from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo.
Today I want to talk about the Holy Spirit and how He is an intricate part in every meaningful thing that we do. He is the invisible line that connects the dots for us. He is the One that shares that sudden inspiration with us. He is the One that causes us to be in the right place, at the right time, and gives us the right words to speak. When the angel was speaking to Zechariah about the uncompleted temple, he said this:
This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts. Zechariah 4:6 ESV
The Lord works here on earth today through the Holy Spirit. It was not an after thought or plan B, but His plan all along. Jesus had this to say about the Holy Spirit, and so much more:
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:26 ESV
“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.” John 16:7 ESV
“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.” John 16:12-14 ESV
The Holy Spirit, the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Truth are just different translations of the same Person. I will simply call Him the Holy Spirit from here on for consistency.
Jesus promised that He would send the Holy Spirit, and He did on the day of Pentecost shortly after His ascension. Jesus went to heaven, and the Holy Spirit came down to earth. In Acts chapter 2, He blew into the upper room where the 120 disciples were and rested on them like tongues of fire.
He brought with Him spiritual gifts like unknown tongues, prophesy, interpretation, discernment and so much more. He distributed them among the believers, and even Mother Mary spoke in tongues. The church was forever changed, and where Jesus could only minister in one area at a time, now the gospel began to spread like a fire.
I want to be clear that the Holy Spirit is still on earth. He is alive and well today, and He will remain here until Jesus Christ returns. The word spirit means breeze, breath, wind. He is as invisible as the wind, but you can feel His presence, and He can affect the natural world as surely as a tornado can affect a trailer park. We can see where He has been.
When the Lord calls us to do something, it is usually the Holy Spirit that relays that command to us. He is involved in everything that the Lord is doing. Learning to recognize His voice is one of the most important things that you can do in your spiritual life.
God chooses the weak in the world to shame the strong (1 Corinthians 1:26) and the Holy Spirit is how He does it. He chose a young boy named David to defeat the giant warrior Goliath, through His Holy Spirit. David slung the rock, and the Holy Spirit guided it straight into Goliath’s forehead.
The Apostles Peter and John were uneducated fishermen, yet the Holy Spirit used them to perform miracles that astonished the priests and pharisees at the temple. The man at the gate called Beautiful in the temple had been crippled for over 40 years when Peter said “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” and the man leaped up and followed them (Acts 3:6). No one saw the Holy Spirit that day, but the lame man walked.
The Holy Spirit shares little secrets with us. I once had a nagging feeling to give someone $100. So when I went to church, I rolled a $100 bill up in my hand and when I found them, I gave them a handshake leaving it with them. They broke down in tears for they were in terrible need that week and had been praying to God for help, but had told no one about it. God heard their prayers, and the Holy Spirit sent me. There is no greater feeling than aligning yourself with the Holy Spirit, but sometimes we are the ones in need.
Once after a long month of work at our church, I was becoming worn out and tired. We came home that day to see a new tax bill for $500, and I knew it was going to be a struggle to pay it. I was annoyed, and I told Sylvia “If we had not spent so much time working at the church, we would have the money to pay this.” We told no one and didn’t mention it again, but when we went to church that Sunday, one of the elders walked up to me and handed me an envelope. He said, I feel like we should pay you something for all the work that you have been doing. Inside the envelope was $500. The Holy Spirit knew our need, and He spoke to the elder. He understands us.
There is so much more that I could tell you, so many times that He has beautifully pulled me through hopeless situations. When He put me into things that were way over my head, yet I came out on top. I can honestly tell you that when you have no one but Him to look to, you will find that He is more than enough. Do not put you trust in your own resources, or your own strength. Live in the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
You can pray this with me if you like:
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I want to know Your Holy Spirit. I want more of You. Please fill me with Your presence. Teach me to be spiritually sensitive and open my ears to hear what You are saying today, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
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Amen!!!
I don't really understand fasting either. Food is a biological necessity, it's one of the 3 basic needs: food, water and shelter. Since it is so important, why deprive of something you need to survive? To clarify, I am not trying to bash fasting or to speak against it, only to ask my questions so I can gain knowledge by the answers. Debi, I hope that the Lord speaks to both of us and helps to enlighten us on this and other issues of significance that we may individually need help with. Peace and kindness be with all of you.
Thank you..... hopefully we can understand the why and the benefits of fasting.
Tyler, I think I've showed you Dion's full teaching on fasting, but not sure if Debi has seen it, so here it is, Debi :):https://www.refreshinghope.org/blogs/1/972/fasting-a-lost-art-of-the-church. In case it doesn't link, you can also find it under "Pastor's Corner". One thing, on survival, obviously, we have not died from fasting, so there is that ;). I remember one time we were watching some "survival" type show, where a couple had only been without food for the afternoon and were already complaining about how hungry they were. Perhaps we in the "first world" make a bit much about how much we really need ;). In any case, there is much Biblical precedent, including Jesus, for the power of fasting, so it's down to a matter of whether we choose, or not, to step out in faith :).
Thank you, will check it out
Amen! Oh Lord God most high, please fill me with Thy Holy Spirit, seal me, direct me and lead me, more and more of Thee and less and less of me, in the name of Jesus Christ I ask and pray, Amen!
Amen! I hope you are doing well Liesel :)
One day at a time, Lynn, and thanks for asking! I'm living now what I've been saying all along, and I'm finding out that all things are possible with my Lord, I can do all things through Him, He is my strength, my shield and my sanity!!! Love you, sister (L)
Yes Lord, amen
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I want to know Your Holy Spirit. I want more of You. Please fill me with Your presence. Teach me to be spiritually sensitive and open my ears to hear what You are saying today, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen. thank you
Amen!!!
Amen,thank you Paster Dion
Amen!
Thank you for this awesome message Pastor Dion! Heavenly Father, I want to know Your Holy Spirit. I want more of You. Please fill me with Your presence. Teach me to be spiritually sensitive and open my ears to hear what You are saying today, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
Amen!!!
Amen!!
Heavenly Father, thank You for all Your support. Open my ears to listen to Your word, that Your Holy Spirit touch me in the things that You have for me today. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Praise the Lord, thank you Pastor for this wonderful message. God bless you.
Amen! Thank You Father for giving us Your Holy Spirit to guide us by.
Amen! Thank you, Pastor Dion! This just confirmed something for me.
When I pause to praise and thank the Lord for the many good things He does, I sense the Spirit's presense in a very profound way! I do believe God appreciates us when we appreciate Him.
Amen!
Great word! Amen.
Amen!
I felt such a beautiful warmth the other day. Something just lovely. It was like a literal strong hug with no one near me. I know it was spiritual. Please God allow your Holy Spirit to help me and my Grandchildren. Amen.
Amen!
Thank you Pastor Dion for the message on The Holy Spirit....I know more about it now than before.
Thank you for this message today!