Holy Spirit Study Wrap-Up

​Last week I was prompted to wrap up the study on the Holy Spirit. Honestly, it was difficult for me to do, because there are still so many Scripture left to look at and pray over, but it was like I sensed the time had come. Here is a little summary and a few thoughts to bring closure.

​We began in January, looking at the books of Ezekiel, Isaiah, Joel, and Zechariah. It was made apparent in the Old Testament times, God has always provided His Holy Spirit to lead and guide His people on the earth. Through His Spirit He provided instruction, power, life & renewal, and a desire to never have His Spirit removed. During that time a select few seemed to have access. However, God promised He would share His Spirit with ALL

After a few weeks in the Old Testament, we moved into the New Testament where there is a reminder of the promise of the Holy Spirit. We see we will be baptized by the Holy Spirit, He will provide knowledge, power, and teach all things.

Following the promise of Jesus in the Old Testament, His birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension - this promise from God was fulfilled. Jesus shared in the book of Acts we will receive power, and many DID receive His Spirit, with a unique evidence! Many continue to receive the gift of His Holy Spirit and power, today!

God's Holy Spirit changes everything. His Spirit is who draws us to God through Jesus. His Spirit is who baptizes us and affirms Jesus Christ is the one and only true way. His Spirit brings conviction into our hearts, compelling us to repent. His Spirit gives us the courage to speak truth boldly, and humbly seek forgiveness when we are wrong. His Spirit brings healing. His Holy Spirit brings life, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Two weeks ago the Lord woke me up at 4:30 in the morning, and had me pray. I first began praying for people in my life, and then simply allowed Him to guide me by His Spirit. At one point my hands were stretched out from left to right, and I kept envisioning rivers of living water. Flowing from my heart, connecting to my mind - moving like a gentle yet powerful stream from one place to the other. Following my prayer time, I went to the Word and found this Scripture, (which was not included in the study by the way):
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John 7:37 - 39  “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! 38 Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” 39 (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)

Following John 7, God led me to Ezekiel 47, where I learned LIFE is given to things once DEAD and where the river flows, there is abundant life. A declaration was made, Lord flow through Your people in this way! Flow and give life wherever Your people GO.

I pray we embrace what the Lord has been teaching us. I pray we are not dulled and numb to the importance of living in the power of His Spirit, simply because of repetition of Scripture. If we truly get it, shouldn't we be living differently? Will our days take on different meaning? Will we sense the power He imparts? Will the continued struggles with woes and circumstances continue to render us powerless in the perceptions of our minds - or will we allow His Spirit to set us FREE? 

​I pray we are not quenching His Spirit. I pray we are not living in pride, thinking we are led by His Spirit, when in fact we may still be led by the desires of our own heart and flesh - calling it Jesus. Lord help us to choose to allow Your rivers of living water to flow in and through us! Thank you for Your very important Word. Move us from places of complacency and intellectual knowledge of Your Spirit, to places of LIVING out daily Your conviction in each our our hearts.

Thank you Jesus, amen.